Kolkata: An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer has reacted angrily alleging that someone had called him a "Khalistani" after he stopped a delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from entering the trouble spots of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal.
Senior IPS officer Jaspreet Singh was having an exchange of words with Adhikari and another BJP MLA Agnimitra Pal at Dhamakhali, when the senior cop was seen shouting "Why did you call me a Khalistani? I will take action on this. Just because I am wearing a turban, you are saying this? Had I not been wearing a turban, would you have called me a Khalistani?"
"You can't comment in this way about my religion," he was seen saying in a purported video of the alleged incident, as an angry Pal asked him to carry out his responsibilities dutifully. "None of us here have uttered such a thing," she said, denying his allegation.
The IPS officer, however, continued: "Whatever you want to tell the police, you are free to say. But you can't say such things about my religion. Is this the level of your guts? Is this your level?
Later, the officer told journalists: "They are making comments, they are calling me Khalistani". UNI has neither ascertained the video's authenticity nor is it in a position to do so.
Sometime after the alleged incident, a section of people belonging to the Sikh community held protest demonstration in front of BJP's headquarters in the city demanding an apology from the party's top leadership for the alleged "Khalistani" slur. Similar protests were held in various other areas of the state.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident.
"Today, the BJP's divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani," she said on her X handle.
Today, the BJP's divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India 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… pic.twitter.com/toYs8LhiuU
"I vehemently condemn this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of our Sikh brothers and sisters, revered for their sacrifices and unwavering determination to our nation," said Banerjee.
"We stand firm in protecting Bengal's social harmony and will *take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it.* she concluded.
State BJP leader Rahul Sinha, faced with a demonstration in front of the party's headquarters on Central Avenue in the city, tendered an apology.
The demonstrators, however, did not relent and sought apologies from the party's top leadership such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The West Bengal Police claimed said that it was Suvendu Adhikari who shouted 'Khalistani' slur at a Sikh police officer.
In a series of posts on X, the West Bengal 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 post read.
The police also shared a purported video showing Suvendu Adhikari standing in the middle of other BJP members and then suddenly 'eta hochhe Khalistani' (he is a Khalistani) is heard.
