Kolkata Police have arrested Congress leader Atanu Das in connection with a case registered over an alleged incident of burning and disrespecting posters bearing the image of religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri during a demonstration outside Bhowanipore police station.
According to the police, the case was registered at Bhowanipore police station on September 10 under Sections 196(1), 302 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR names South Kolkata District Congress Committee president Pradip Prasad, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee, Atanu Das and others as accused.
Police said the alleged incident took place on September 8 at around 12.15pm and continued thereafter, when Congress supporters participated in a demonstration outside Bhowanipore police station at 42 S.P. Mukherjee Road.
Posters allegedly burnt and trampled
As per the police's preliminary account, the demonstration was led by the FIR-named accused persons, including Prasad, Chatterjee and Das.
The police alleged that during the protest, posters carrying the image of Dhirendra Shastri were burnt, trampled and struck with footwear by members of the gathering. Investigators further alleged that the acts were accompanied by remarks they described as derogatory and disrespectful.
According to the police, the alleged conduct amounted to an intentional insult to the religious sentiments of a particular community and had the potential to affect public order and create social disharmony.
The allegations are part of the police case and the investigation is continuing.
Police said Das was arrested at approximately 12.30am on September 11 from 27/66 K.M. Naskar Road under Regent Park police station.
The arrested accused has been identified by police as Atanu Das, son of late Ashim Kumar Das.
The arrest comes three days after the alleged demonstration and a day after the registration of the Bhowanipore police station case.
Protest followed controversy over Dhirendra Shastri remarks
The demonstration was held against remarks attributed to Dhirendra Shastri during his recent programme in Bengal. His comments concerning food practices during Durga Puja had triggered a political controversy, with Congress leaders and supporters protesting against what they described as an objectionable statement about Bengali traditions.
The dispute subsequently moved beyond political exchanges, with the alleged poster-burning incident becoming the subject of a police investigation.
Police have said the probe into the Bhowanipore case remains ongoing.
