Members of the Sikh community in Kolkata and Asansol joined hands and took to the streets on Wednesday, expressing outrage over an alleged incident where an IPS officer, Jaspreet Singh, was labelled "Khalistani" by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari during his visit to Sandeshkhali yesterday.
Officer Singh had reportedly questioned BJP workers during a tense situation, stating, "Just because I am wearing a turban, you people are calling me a Khalistani? Is this what you have learnt? If a police officer wears a turban and performs his duty honestly, he becomes a Khalistani for you? Shame on you."
This sparked widespread condemnation and protests, with many viewing the remark as discriminatory and insensitive.
Protesters at the BJP office in Kolkata demanded an apology from the party, Prime Minister Modi, and Union Home Minister Shah.
A protester near the BJP office said, "The farmers from Punjab are described as Khalistanis by some BJP leaders for demanding better support prices for their crops. A policeman hailing from Punjab has been similarly labelled by the saffron party for doing his duty as a police officer."
"We are all patriotic Indians. None can question our patriotism, our sacrifice, our love for the country. Why should wearing turbans as part of our religious right make a Sikh tagged as a Khalistani? We demand an apology from the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on this issue," an elderly Sikh man said.
The IPS officer, who was deputed at Dhamakhali to prevent senior West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from visiting restive Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas district
Similar protests were held by members of the Sikh community in Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman district.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned BJP's "divisive politics" and said attempts to undermine the reputation of Sikhs were audacious.
Taking to her X handle, Banerjee asserted, "Today, the BJP's divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India, every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani."
However, it is important to note that no confirmation of the specific slur being used by BJP activists can be found in publicly available information or video recordings, aside from the IPS officer's personal claim.
Additional Director General (ADG), South Bengal, Supratim Sarkar said that Adhikari’s “Khalistani” remark was completely unacceptable.
However, Adhikari refuted the allegations, accusing the ruling TMC of orchestrating a diversionary tactic. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on the other hand, condemned the incident, calling it a manifestation of "divisive politics" and an audacious attempt to tarnish the Sikh community's reputation.
The alleged slur comes amidst ongoing protests in Sandeshkhali, where women have accused a Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh of conducting sexual assaults and land grabbing scams along with his accomplices.
The BJP claims the officer's accusations are an attempt to "deflect attention" from this sensitive issue.
Follow us
