Netaji row: BJP MP apologies after FIR
Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said that law would take its own course after FIRs were lodged against BJP MP Ananta Maharaj alias Nagendra Roy for his derogatory remarks against Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The erring leader from Cooch Behar, however, apologised for his statements.
The Chief Minister said that Roy had done an “unpardonable” wrong, saying, however, that it was good that he had proffered an apology for his statements. “Though law will take its own course … his video (seeking apology) uploaded on social media last night should be taken with positive note considering his age … I don’t have much to say about this,” Adhikari said, adding how the police had already arrested five persons and got deleted two more than 200 social media posts.
Earlier, Maharaj appeared in a social media video seeking apology. He said, “regarding my statements, I would like to state that if unintentional comments have hurt anyone emotionally, then I feel sorry from the core of my heart.”
He had earlier referred to some documents that he claimed authentic, calling Netaji a “war criminal” and justifying the action taken by the British Government against him. When repeatedly reminded that by making such derogatory comments he was hurting national sentiments he said “the statements are not mine … these are based on historical documents that I am referring to … he had raised the Azad Hind Fauz by taking men from the British Army, and then fought against the English…any other Government in the place of the British would have treated it the way they did … he was a war criminal and was treated accordingly.”
Gopal Dey a local leader of Forward Bloc the party that was raised by Bose, had filed an FIR against Maharaj. He said “Ananat Maharaj has insulted the whole nation … such a derogatory statement merited an FIR and we did it … He should be arrested and expelled from the Rajya Sabha.”
Earlier, the Chief Minister too had warned legal actions against those making disrespectful statements against Netaji. Tathagato Roy, a senior BJP leader and former Tripura Governor, too demanded strong action against Roy saying, “he should be immediately expelled from the BJP.”
