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Sreelekha Mitra faces police complaints over PM Modi caricature at Kolkata student rally; actor denies deliberate act
Multiple complaints have been filed against the actor after she was photographed holding a caricature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest over the NEET paper leak. Mitra says she was unaware of the poster’s content.
Actor Sreelekha Mitra has come under legal scrutiny after multiple police complaints were filed against her over a caricature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed during a student protest in Kolkata.
The complaints stem from a rally held between Sealdah and Esplanade on Friday, where students and supporters gathered to protest against the alleged NEET examination paper leak and demand reforms in the education system.
BJP files multiple complaints
According to reports, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Keya Ghosh lodged a formal complaint at Anandapur Police Station. Similar complaints were also submitted to the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station and police authorities in several other districts.
The complainants have sought legal action against the actor, alleging that she publicly displayed an offensive caricature of the Prime Minister during the protest.
The complaints reportedly invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), Section 353 (statements conducive to public mischief), and Section 356 (defamation).
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Speaking on the issue, Keya Ghosh said political disagreement is acceptable in a democracy but alleged that public depictions intended to defame or provoke social disharmony should not be condoned.
Sreelekha Mitra denies intentional wrongdoing
Responding to the allegations, Sreelekha Mitra said she had attended the rally only to express solidarity with students protesting over the NEET paper leak controversy.
The actor claimed she was not wearing her prescription glasses at the time and did not notice the image printed on the poster she was holding.”The police were carrying out a baton charge at that time, so my photograph was hurriedly taken. I never even turned the poster around to check what kind of image of the Prime Minister it displayed.”
Rejecting allegations of deliberate misconduct, Mitra also dismissed claims that her participation amounted to anti-national activity.”I may be opposed to the BJP, but calling me anti-national is completely ridiculous. It is equally absurd if anyone thinks that I deliberately chose to hold that poster and pose for the photograph.”
Protest centred on education reforms
The rally was organised in support of students demanding accountability and reforms following the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
The demonstrations have drawn participation from student groups, activists and public figures, with demands ranging from stricter action against paper leak networks to greater transparency in public examinations.
Investigation likely to follow
At present, the complaints have been submitted to the police, and authorities are expected to examine the allegations in accordance with the law before deciding on any further action.
The incident has generated widespread discussion on social media, adding another political dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the student protests and freedom of political expression.
