In the aftermath of a controversial incident during a protest in Kolkata, West Bengal BJP chief and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has issued a public apology following an FIR lodged by Sikh community leaders who alleged he hurled a slipper at a turbaned police officer. The unfolding events have triggered widespread outrage, legal scrutiny, and political back-and-forth.
FIR Lodged Over Alleged Disrespect
An FIR was filed on June 12 at the Kalighat police station after a Sikh community group lodged a complaint under sections 208, 302, and 115(2) of the penal code, citing Majumdar’s alleged act of throwing a slipper at a police officer’s turban — a move described as “deliberate and intentional”.
Gurmeet Singh, head of Gurudwara Bara Sikh Sanghat, voiced the community’s distress: “All the members of the Sikh community are hurt… We had hoped that action would be taken (against him). Hoped that Sukanta Majumdar would come forward with an apology and clarification, but nothing happened.”
Representatives from the Sikh community demanded an “unequivocal public apology and strict legal action,” warning of mass protests if their concerns were ignored. Tejendra Singh described the incident as a symbol of targeted campaign: “First, they were doing Hindu and Muslim; now, they are targeting Sikh community… If the BJP tries to do politics by divide and rule, we will clearly call for not voting for BJP”
Majumdar Denies Intention & Offers Apology
While the FIR levied serious charges, Majumdar insists his actions were mischaracterized. He stated the object thrown was a “slipper-shaped paper cut-out,” not a physical slipper, and argued it struck a member of his security detail, not the Sikh officer.
He also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of instigating the controversy:
“This is clearly politically motivated and orchestrated by Mamata Banerjee… Our aim was simply to throw a piece of paper at the police”.
Majumdar went on to apologise, emphasizing that any hurt to religious sentiments was unintentional:
“If this unfortunate and unintended incident has hurt the religious sentiments of any member of the Sikh community, I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies. It was never my intention to cause any offence or disrespect.”