Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra is facing police complaints at multiple stations across West Bengal after she was allegedly photographed holding a poster bearing an obscene image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a NEET protest in Kolkata on 24 July 2025. The complaints, filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), have not yet resulted in a formal FIR, according to police sources.

How the Controversy Unfolded

On 24 July, protesters gathered on the streets of Kolkata demanding accountability over the NEET question paper leak and calling for the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sreelekha Mitra joined the demonstration, and a photograph of her holding a placard went viral on social media. The placard allegedly displayed an obscene depiction of the Prime Minister.

The actress has maintained that she was unaware of the poster's content. 'I forgot to bring my glasses. I only brought sunglasses,' she said, adding that the crowd and the ongoing police lathi-charge made it impossible for her to examine the poster closely. 'I may be anti-BJP. But calling me a traitor is very funny,' she stated.

Complaints Filed, No FIR Yet

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Keya Ghosh filed a formal complaint against Mitra at the Anandapur police station on the southern outskirts of Kolkata on Sunday. Separately, complaints have reportedly been lodged at several other police stations across multiple districts, including the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime police station.

According to police sources, the complaints have been registered under Section 352 (incitement to breach of peace), Section 353 (publicly abetting provocative conduct), and Section 356 (defamation) of the BNS. Authorities have indicated that a decision on whether to register an FIR will follow an initial investigation.

What the BJP Said

Ghosh clarified that her complaint was driven by personal outrage rather than party directive. 'I am angry not as a party leader but as a citizen of the country,' she said, demanding that 'appropriate action should be taken against Sreelekha as per the law.' She warned that if no arrest is made, her group would approach the courts.

The Actress Responds

Sreelekha Mitra has been unequivocal in asserting her innocence. She said she joined the protest alongside students and youth and walked with them through the demonstration. She insisted she never turned the poster around to inspect the image on it, and that the chaos of the lathi-charge further prevented her from noticing the content. 'It is equally funny if someone thinks that I deliberately took that picture and stood holding it in my hand!' she added.

What Happens Next

The matter now rests with the investigating officers, who will determine whether the evidence warrants an FIR. Given the political sensitivity — involving a sitting Prime Minister's image and a high-profile protest tied to the NEET controversy — the case is likely to attract further scrutiny. The outcome could also have implications for the broader debate around protest conduct and free expression in India.