West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday criticised BJP leaders for allegedly calling a Sikh IPS officer 'Khalistani', sparking a fierce political confrontation between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP. The incident has led to widespread protests across the state, with members of the Sikh community and political parties demanding accountability.
"What was the fault of the officer on duty? Is there no Sikh regiment in the force? We respect all religions. If an officer wears a turban, how can you (BJP) call him Khalistani? If you see a Muslim officer, you call him Pakistani. I have been mocked using so many names but I never reacted to it. A few people are now engaging in this. They are the biggest stigma in Bengal, they're maligning Bengal's reputation," Mamata said.
The controversy arose after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari purportedly referred to IPS officer Jaspreet Singh as 'Khalistani' during an altercation on Tuesday. Singh, stationed at the Sandeshkhali border, claimed that Adhikari made the derogatory remark when police intercepted his movement.
According to a PTI report, around 200 Sikh community members staged a demonstration outside the BJP office in Kolkata to express solidarity with IPS officer Jaspreet Singh and condemn the alleged derogatory remarks made against him.
Adhikari, accompanied by BJP leader Agnimitra Paul, denied the accusation, stating that Singh was neglecting his duties. This sparked a heated exchange between the TMC and the BJP, with both parties levelling allegations against each other.
TMC leaders accused the BJP of pursuing a divisive agenda, while the BJP accused the TMC of using the incident to divert attention from other pressing issues, notably the Sandeshkhali controversy.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the incident, criticising the BJP's divisive politics and expressing solidarity with IPS Jaspreet Singh.
In response to the allegations, the Bengal BJP defended its stance, accusing Singh of contempt of court for allegedly obstructing Adhikari's visit to Sandeshkhali. They argued that the focus should be on addressing the issues in Sandeshkhali rather than engaging in political mudslinging.
Meanwhile, protests erupted across West Bengal demanding accountability from Adhikari and the BJP. Members of the Sikh community voiced their dismay, asserting their patriotism and demanding an apology from the BJP for the derogatory remarks.
The West Bengal Police has initiated legal proceedings in response to the incident, reflecting the seriousness with which the matter is being addressed. The political fallout from this controversy underscores the deeply entrenched divisions in West Bengal's political landscape.