CJP's Abhijeet Dipke questions FIR against woman for anti-Modi remarks

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Abhijeet Dipke has questioned the police action against a Noida woman booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a sharp retort, Dipke asked when similar cases would be filed against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who face criminal charges.

His remarks come amid a political firestorm over the FIR, which was registered after the woman's comments against Modi surfaced online. The case has now been transferred to Delhi, and the woman has reportedly apologised in a video, saying she is ashamed of her actions.

Dipke's sharp question

Speaking to reporters, Dipke said, “When will BJP face cases? Close to 100 BJP MPs have criminal cases against them, yet no such action is taken. Why is the law being selectively applied?” His comments have added to the opposition's charge that the Modi government is using central agencies and police to silence dissent.

The woman, a resident of Noida, was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The FIR was registered after a complaint alleged that her remarks were offensive and inflammatory. The police have not yet commented on the transfer of the case to Delhi.

CJP's defence and the larger debate

Saurav Das, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), defended the woman, arguing that criticism of public figures is not a crime. “Since when is abusing a crime? In a democracy, people have the right to express their discontent. The government is targeting a young woman for exercising her freedom of speech,” Das said.

His statement has sparked a broader debate about the limits of free speech in India, especially in the context of remarks made against the Prime Minister. Legal experts point out that while defamation and incitement are punishable, mere criticism or abuse may not constitute a criminal offence unless it threatens public order.

The woman's apology and political implications

In a video that has since gone viral, the woman is seen apologising for her remarks, saying she never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments. “I am so ashamed. I did not mean to disrespect the Prime Minister,” she says in the clip. The apology, however, has not stopped the legal proceedings, and the case has been moved to a Delhi court.

Opposition parties have seized on the incident to accuse the BJP of intolerance. They argue that the government is using the law to muzzle critics, a charge the ruling party denies. The BJP has maintained that the FIR was filed based on a legitimate complaint and that the law will take its own course.

What happens next

The Delhi court will now hear the case, and the woman's legal team is expected to seek quashing of the FIR. Political observers will be watching whether the apology influences the court's decision or whether the case becomes another flashpoint in the ongoing tussle between the government and its critics.