The Rajasthan Police on Sunday morning detained Bollywood actress Payal Rohatgi from her Ahmedabad residence for interrogation in a case relating to alleged objectionable content against the Nehru-Gandhi family on social media.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has asked for the actress' release saying that the Freedom of Expression must be upheld. However, he added that the comments made by Rohatgi were tasteless and false, typical Sanghi drivel circulated on WhatsApp.
"There’s little doubt that the comments of @Payal_Rohatgi were tasteless & false, typical Sanghi drivel circulated on @whatsapp. But to arrest her is unwise: upholding freedom of expression means allowing her to say stupid things w’out police getting involved. She shd be released," Tharoor wrote on Twitter.
The actress was booked by the Bundi police under the IT Act on October 10 for the objectionable content against Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and other members of the family.
She was served a notice earlier this month and told to furnish a reply in this connection.
"I am arrested by @PoliceRajasthan for making a video on #MotilalNehru which I made from taking information from @google Freedom of Speech is a joke @PMOIndia @HMOIndia," tweeted Payal Rohatgi.
Subsequently, after her arrest #IStandWithPayalRohatgi started trending on Twitter. Users said that the arrest was illegal and unfair as freedom of expression still exists in India. Users also slammed the ruling Congress party in Rajasthan.
