Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Monday quashed an FIR against actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal for his “fish-eating Bengali” comment during last December’s Gujarat poll campaign, reports Subrata Chattoraj.

“The speech in question was made in Gujarati and there is no English translation of the text till date. There have been some comments against the speech by persons who may not necessarily understand Gujarati. Above all, the petitioner has clarified and tendered an apology,” Justice Rajasekhar Mantha said.

The court said it “is of the view that the further continuation of the FIR and the proceedings is not desirable”.

Rawal had moved the HC for quashing the FIR, lodged on December 2 by CPM state secretary Md Salim under multiple penal sections, including those for a bid to incite riots.

The HC had last week asked Salim for his views as Rawal had apologized. The actor had told the HC that he had been sent three police summons.

“What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for Bengalis?” Rawal had said at a rally while talking about price rise and illegal migration.