Nandy leaves Jaipur, police seek video of his comments

Nandy, who was slated to attend a session, ‘Hindi English Bhai Bhai’ on Sunday morning, gave it a miss.

The police have sought an unedited video of the session, ‘Republic of Idea’, wherein Nandy had made the comment, drawing widespread condemnation. “We have asked the organisers to give us details of the speaker’s statement and an unedited video of the entire session during which the controversial comment was made. The organisers and the author have been asked to explain the context of the statement and the apology he later tendered to the community. If Nandy is found guilty, a non-bailable warrant is likely to be issued against him under the SC/ST Act,” said B L Soni, Commissioner, Jaipur Police.

Festival producer Sanjoy Roy said that the requisite details have already been provided to the police.

Sources said that Nandy’s family was apprehensive of his safety here and with a possibility of a non-bailable warrant looming large, they asked him to leave for Delhi.

Protests were held here against Nandy and the organisers of the festival. J P Vimal, leader of the SC/ST Aarakshan Manch, gave a memorandum to the state government threatening that if Nandy is not arrested within 15 days, there will be massive protests across the country. The protesters alleged that investigating officer Janesh Singh, the SHO of Ashok Nagar police station, where the FIR was filed against Nandy and Roy, is on leave and this was an attempt on the part of the police to bide time.