FIRs Filed Against Bengali Actor Sreelekha Mitra Over Poster of PM Modi at Student Rally
Multiple first information reports (FIRs) have been filed against Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra across West Bengal for allegedly carrying a poster featuring a caricature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a student rally in Kolkata on July 24, 2026. The protest, organised by a students' political group and left-affiliated student wings, demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The march, which started from Sealdah station, drew thousands of students and members of civil society in solidarity with protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Ms. Mitra participated in the rally holding the poster, which later sparked controversy on social media.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Keya Ghosh filed the first FIR at Anandapur police station in Kolkata on July 26, followed by similar complaints in various districts. Ghosh alleged hooliganism during the protest, including attacks on journalists, and condemned the poster as derogatory. 'Displaying a poster depicting the Prime Minister in such a manner cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,' she told reporters.
Ms. Mitra is known for her outspoken views on politics and nepotism in the Tollygunge film industry. In 2024, she filed an FIR against Malayalam film director Ranjith following the Hema Committee report, accusing him of sexual misconduct during the pre-production of his 2009 film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha.
BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya criticised the protesters, calling them anti-national and alleging ties to the Trinamool Congress. 'They raised 'Azadi' slogans. Our country is already free. Such slogans by anti-national forces patronised by the Left will not be tolerated. The BJP government will take necessary action,' he said.
As of writing, Ms. Mitra has not issued a statement regarding the FIRs.
