A BJP chief’s “Khalistani” slur for a Sikh police officer in Bengal snowballed into the following large political controversy after a video of the ensuing confrontation made it to social media at present. State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Sikh physique SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) and the Congress have slammed the BJP. Accusing Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of constructing the comment, the state police mentioned they might take sturdy authorized motion. The BJP has denied the allegation, and accused the police of being subservient to the ruling Trinamool Congress.
“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,” learn elements of a sequence of posts from the official deal with of the state police.
This remark is as a lot malicious and racial as it’s communally inciting. It is a felony act. We unequivocally condemn the unprovoked, unacceptable assault on a person’s non secular identification and beliefs aimed to incite individuals to take to violence and break the legislation… (2/3)
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) February 20, 2024
Led by Subhendu Adhikari, the protesters had been on technique to Sandeshkhali, after they had been stopped by the police. In the confrontation that adopted, one of many protesters apparently known as a senior police officer on obligation on the spot a “Khalistani”.
The video confirmed the offended officer responding. “I’m wearing a turban, that’s why you call me a Khalistani? I will take action about this… You cannot attack my religion. I have not said anything about your religion,” the officer is heard saying.
The BJP staff remained unfazed. “You do your job… you just butter them up. you are sycophants,” a girl is heard shouting.
Adding gasoline to the fireplace of hate, @SuvenduWB shamelessly labelled a turban-wearing IPS officer as a ‘KHALISTANI’.
The Sikh Community of Asansol took to the streets in protest towards this brazen show of bigotry and the divisive tradition that @BJP4India endorses! pic.twitter.com/Ul4m1Hn7Sg
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) February 20, 2024
Accusing the BJP of training “divisive politics”, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned it.
Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India each individual sporting a TURBAN is a KHALISTANI.
I VEHEMENTLY CONDEMN this audacious try to undermine the status of our SIKH BROTHERS & SISTERS, revered for his or her… pic.twitter.com/toYs8LhiuU
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 20, 2024
“Leaders who have such thinking in the country should never forget that Sikhs have made the most sacrifices for the freedom and protection of the country… It is a big question that such people in the country deliberately create an atmosphere of hatred but the governments remain silent,” posted SGCP chief Harjinder Singh Dhami.
The intentional character assassination of a Sikh IPS officer S. Jaspreet Singh by the BJP leaders in West Bengal is very condemnable. Leaders who’ve such pondering within the nation ought to always remember that Sikhs have made probably the most sacrifices for the liberty and safety of… pic.twitter.com/MsKr9BLYgu
— Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) February 20, 2024
The sharpest barb got here from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge who straight focused Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The sting of religious fanaticism spread by the BJP is poisoning our diverse culture to such an extent that protectors of the law are being branded terrorists in the name of religion. Is “Sabka Saath” now meant to tear down the Constitution made by Babasaheb Ambedkar? Mr. Modi, Your only objective is to spread disharmony, hatred and violence between religions, sects and communities,”learn a tough translation of his put up.
BJP के कार्यकर्ताओं से IPS अधिकारी जसप्रीत सिंह बोल रहें हैं —
“क्योंकि मैंने Turban पहना है, इसलिए आप मुझे Khalistani बोल रहें हैं”
BJP-RSS ने केवल इस देश में धर्म के नाम पर समाज में ज़हर फैलाने का काम किया है।
भाजपा द्वारा फैलाई धार्मिक कट्टरता का दंश, हमारी विविधता वाली… pic.twitter.com/n8oGWdymva
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 20, 2024
In an announcement, the BJP denied utilizing any slur. “No one used the pejorative term for the officer. He just chose to flout service rules and used the occasion to attract undue attention on to himself, by flying off the handle, when he should have been focusing on upholding the law,” the assertion learn.
The celebration additionally posted video and photographs of police manhandling Sikh protesters, and within the assertion, mentioned, “It is a shame that the WB Police is willing to be a political pawn in the hands of Mamata Banerjee and is dragging in religion. Here is a video and images to remind how disrespectful WB Police has been towards the Sikhs. You have pulled off turbans and dragged Sikh protestors on the streets, for taking on Mamata Banerjee’s decrepit administration. So don’t lecture us”.
We, the individuals of Bengal are equally outraged to see that @WBPolice, which must be appearing as custodians of legislation and order within the state, have lowered themselves to being doormats of the ruling TMC.
Since WB Police is speaking about functionality, do we have to remind that had the… https://t.co/EbBC5VSmFnpic.twitter.com/1iskZ0QGbr
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) February 20, 2024
The BJP staff had been on technique to south Bengal’s Sandeshkhali after a court docket order allowed the go to, setting apart the roadblocks imposed by the administration.
The island in Sundarbans, near Bangladesh border, has been within the eye of a political storm for the reason that locals accused a Trinamool Congress strongman of sexual exploitation and land grabbing.
While just a few individuals have been arrested, the primary accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, has been on the run.
Given the turmoil, the administration had positioned the realm beneath prohibitory orders banning massive gatherings and refused the opposition to go to the spot.