West Bengal: In an incident at Dhamakhali, a Sikh IPS officer was deployed to prevent senior West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from visiting the restive Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.
The officer reportedly became agitated when a group of BJP members called the senior officer ‘Khalistani’.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP’s “divisive politics” for shamelessly exceeding constitutional boundaries.
She condemned what she described as an “audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of Sikhs, revered for their sacrifices and unwavering determination to our nation.”
IPS officer Jaspreet Singh, along with his team stationed at Dhamakhali, had erected barricades to prevent Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali, just across the Kalindi River.
Singh was allegedly called a “Khalistani” by a group of BJP supporters.
Singh, who wears a turban, questioned the basis of being labeled a Khalistani solely because of his attire.
He defended himself, saying, “Just because I am wearing a turban, you people are calling me a Khalistani? Is this what you have learned? If a police officer wears a turban and performs his duty honestly, he becomes a Khalistani for you? Shame on you.”
Singh emphasised that he was merely doing his job and questioned the focus on his religion.
“I am just doing my job. Did I say anything about your religion? Why are you speaking about my religion?” he asserted.
Banerjee shared a video clip on social media, condemning the BJP’s divisive politics and alleging that the party considered every person wearing a turban as a Khalistani.
She vehemently condemned the attempt to undermine the reputation of Sikhs, known for their sacrifices and unwavering determination to the nation.
The Chief Minister vowed to protect Bengal’s social harmony and stated, “We stand firm in protecting Bengal’s social harmony and will take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it.”
However, the BJP denied the charges, accusing the police officer of not fulfilling his duties.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, who was accompanying Adhikari, also contested the claim.
