NCSC directs action against Pakistani artist

New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) The National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) has sent a notice to the Mumbai Police Commissioner to take action against Pakistani artist Irfan Ali Hasan and his co-artist for allegedly using casteist remarks at the 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' programme running on Star One channel.

NCSC member Phoolchand Verma here today told UNI that he has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner in a notice to register case against the artists under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The NCSC has directed to take action within seven days.

According to a NCSC release, the artists had used objectionable remarks against scheduled caste at the programme on June 16.

The Commission had also asked the programme's convenor Shekhar Suman, actor Sunil Shetty and Star General Manager Pankaj Saraswat to publicly apologise for the incident.

Mr Verma said the NCSC was obtaining video footage and other details related to the incident.

The Commission issued the notice taking into cognizance complaint by dalit community in Indore.

Earlier, a complaint had been lodged at the Scheduled Caste police station in Indore by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Safai Karmchari Morcha in the regard.

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