A contentious incident has emerged from the Barasat area in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, where local police took swift action to arrest a man accused of posting a derogatory photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media platforms. The 32-year-old accused, Soumik Chatterjee, allegedly lit a cigarette using the flame from a burning image of the Prime Minister and posted the picture online. The photograph quickly circulated across digital platforms, triggering widespread outrage and prompting political leaders to demand strict legal action against the offender.
Defamatory Photo and Subsequent Police Action
The controversy began when the image of Soumik Chatterjee smoking a cigarette ignited by the burning poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi began trending on social media platforms. Following the public outrage, Anirban Biswas, the BJP president for Barasat Mandal-3, lodged a formal complaint at the Barasat police station. The complaint alleged that Chatterjee intentionally posted the objectionable photo to defame and demean the dignity of the Prime Minister. Acting promptly on the complaint, police officers conducted a raid at Chatterjee's residence on Saturday night and placed him under arrest within hours of receiving the official report.
Court Appearance and Public Apology
On Sunday, as police officers escorted Soumik Chatterjee to the local court for legal proceedings, the accused displayed a starkly altered attitude in front of media personnel. Facing news cameras, Chatterjee folded his hands and publicly pleaded for forgiveness, acknowledging that he had made a severe error. He stated that he had committed a massive mistake and offered a sincere apology to the public. The video capturing his emotional apology and shifted posture while in police custody subsequently went viral across social media channels, drawing significant public attention.
Family Reaction and Faith in Administration
Amid the growing controversy, Soumik Chatterjee's father addressed the media to express his profound regret over his son's actions. He explicitly stated that the family does not condone or support such disrespectful behavior under any circumstances. According to the father, his son committed a grave mistake, and the family remains completely unaware of what motivated him to engage in such an act. He added that the matter is now in the hands of the police and expressed complete faith in the legal system and administrative authorities to handle the case appropriately.
Protest Connections and Ongoing Investigation
The arrest took place shortly after left-wing student organizations held a major demonstration in Kolkata protesting against the NEET paper leak issue. That protest had also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Reports circulated attempting to link the accused with the event; however, an official representative from CJP clarified that Soumik Chatterjee holds no membership or formal association with their organization. The official noted that while anyone could participate in a public rally, Chatterjee was not a member of CJP. Barasat police stated that the arrest was executed strictly based on the formal complaint, and further legal procedures are continuing.
