The West Bengal Police on Tuesday said that it was BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who called the Sikh IPS officer a “Khalistani” and added that stern legal action is being initiated against him.
In a statement released on ‘X’ along with a purported video of the incident, the state’s police said, “We, the West Bengal Police fraternity, are outraged to share this video, where one of our own officers was called ‘Khalistani’ by the state’s Leader of the Opposition. His ‘fault’: he is both a proud Sikh, and a capable police officer who was trying to enforce the law.”
“This comment is as much malicious and racial as it is communally inciting. It is a criminal act. We unequivocally condemn the unprovoked, unacceptable attack on an individual’s religious identity and beliefs aimed to incite people to take to violence and break the law,” the statement added.
The IPS officer SSP Jaspreet Singh, who was wearing a turban, was deployed to stop the protesting BJP workers, including Adhikari, from visiting Sandeshkhali.
As BJP leaders indulged in an argument with the IPS officer, Adhikari allegedly called Singh “Khalistani”, which prompted strong reactions from the officer who advised the BJP leader to leave his religion alone.
“I will take action on this. Just because I am wearing a turban, you assumed I am a Khalistani? You cannot say anything about my religion. Has anybody said anything about your religion? Then why did you comment on my religion?” the angry officer told the MLA.
“Nobody is making any comments on religion, only you are making. If any police person is wearing a turban, are they assumed as Khalistani?… I’m not discussing your faith; don’t bring up mine either. How dare you label me a Khalistani! Is this your level?” he added.
A huge political row erupted following the incident and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of playing divisive politics and overstepping constitutional boundaries.
“Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per BJP every person wearing a TURBAN is a KHALISTANI. I VEHEMENTLY CONDEMN this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of our SIKH BROTHERS & SISTERS, revered for their SACRIFICES and UNWAVERING DETERMINATION to our nation,” Banerjee wrote on ‘X’.