The family of Gopal Mukherjee, also known as Gopal Patha, who played a crucial role in protecting Hindus during the 1946 Calcutta riots, has filed an FIR against Vivek Agnihotri, the director of the film 'The Bengal Files'.
Kolkata: The family of Gopal Mukherjee, also known as Gopal Patha, who played a crucial role in protecting Hindus during the 1946 Calcutta riots, has filed an FIR against Vivek Agnihotri, the director of the film ‘The Bengal Files’. The family alleges that the film attempts to tarnish the image of their ancestor by presenting false facts.
Gopal Patha's grandson, Sanatan Mukherjee, lodged a complaint at the Bowbazar police station in Kolkata. He claims that the portrayal of his grandfather in the film does not reflect reality. The family states that Gopal Patha was a member of the Anushilan Samiti during the freedom struggle and protected people during the communal violence of 1946.
Allegations in the FIR
Sanatan Mukherjee says that his grandfather has been depicted as a ‘butcher’ in the film, which is insulting to him. He clarified that his grandfather was a wrestler by profession and his social contribution was significant. Sanatan Mukherjee said, "In 1946, when the Muslim League instigated riots in Kolkata, my grandfather took up arms to protect people. His role was not limited to two meat shops. By ignoring this fact, his character has been misrepresented in the film."
The film ‘The Bengal Files’ is based on the partition of Bengal and the massacre of Hindus. As a result, many historians and critics consider it to be based on sensitive issues and believe that it also carries the risk of igniting communal tensions in society.
Relief from Calcutta High Court
Earlier, Vivek Agnihotri and his wife, Pallavi Joshi, approached the Calcutta High Court on July 31. They sought the quashing of the earlier FIRs. The first FIR against them was registered in Murshidabad during the film's teaser campaign, while the second FIR was registered in Lake Town, Kolkata.
On August 4, while hearing the case, Justice Jay Sengupta of the Calcutta High Court stayed the FIRs. However, the matter is still in the judicial process and the hearing is ongoing in the court.
