West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been summoned by the Mumbai Metropolitan Magistrate Court for allegedly insulting the national anthem. She has been asked to appear before the bench on March 2.
A case had been filed against Mamata in December last, claiming that the Trinamool Congress chief disrespected the national anthem during her visit to the city.
The case has been filed by a Mumbai BJP unit functionary, Vivekanand Gupta.
The complaint claimed that Mamata Banerjee had violated the Union home ministry’s order of 2015 which states that whenever the national anthem is played or sung, the audience shall stand to attention.
As per the prima facie evidence from the complaint, including a video clip in the DVD, it’s shown that Mamata sang the national anthem but then stopped abruptly and left the dais.
The magistrates’ court at Mazgaon said that Mamata Banerjee had committed an offence punishable under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The incident referred to her visit to Mumbai last year when she had interacted with the ruling Shiv Sena and NCP in a bid to build up the Opposition.
While the national anthem was being sung during a press conference, Banerjee didn’t finish the national anthem and sat down midway.
