“Balle Shera”: Punjab leaders united in support of top police officer called Khalistani

A Sikh officer in Bengal has alleged that BJP leaders called him “Khalistani” during the clash.

New Delhi:

The use of the slur “Khalistani” against a Sikh IPS officer posted in West Bengal has sparked a wave of condemnation in Punjab. From top Sikh bodies to political parties, prominent voices from the Sikh-majority state have expressed solidarity with IPS officer Jaspreet Singh and praised him for standing up against the objectionable remarks.

The 2016 batch IPS officer came into limelight yesterday when a video of him confronting BJP leaders for allegedly calling them “Khalistani” went viral. In the video, the officer can be heard saying, “I am wearing a turban, so you call me a Khalistani? I will take action about this. You cannot attack my religion. I have not said anything about your religion.” Said.” BJP leaders are heard accusing Adhikari of not performing his duty and acting as a pawn of the Mamata Banerjee government.

A heated argument broke out in Dhamakhali after Bengal Police stopped Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari from going to Sandeshkhali. The island is at the center of a political storm after local residents accused powerful Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of land grabbing and extortion.

Bengal Police has alleged that it was Mr Adhikari who had made the “Khalistani” comment. The BJP leader has rejected the allegations and challenged the state police to prove his allegation. The state BJP unit has also said that the IPS officer has violated the Calcutta High Court order, which had given Mr Adhikari permission to leave Sandeshkhali.

Opposition parties have used the viral video to target BJP. Chief Minister Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the party over the remarks and accused her of indulging in “divisive politics”.

Top Sikh organizations Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in Punjab have condemned the incident.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh described the incident as “highly condemnable” and underlined the sacrifices of the Sikh community to protect the unity of India. He has demanded strict action against the people involved in the incident.

The deliberate character assassination of a Sikh IPS officer S.Jaspreet Singh by BJP leaders in West Bengal is highly condemnable. Leaders with such thinking in the country should never forget that Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifice for the freedom and defense of the country… pic.twitter.com/MsKr9BLYgu

– Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) 20 February 2024

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which manages top Sikh temples including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, has condemned the “deliberate character assassination of a Sikh IPS officer”. Leaders with such thinking in the country should never forget that Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifice for the freedom and security of the country. Sikhs do not need to take certificate from anyone, rather they know how to render services for the country. According to their traditions and customs,” Sikh body president Harjinder Singh Dhami said in a post on Twitter.

“It is a big question that such people deliberately create an atmosphere of hatred in the country but the governments remain silent. Those who create such an atmosphere should be punished so that the people who are performing their duty honestly in different fields should not do so. ” Victims of such hatred,” he said.

Politicians across the country have condemned this incident.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the remarks and said the BJP should apologize to the Sikhs.

I strongly condemn the condemnable act of inciting communal sentiments by making separatist remarks against a Sikh police officer in West Bengal yesterday. Turban is our identity and it has been given to us by our great Guru Sahiban. It has always been a symbol of our immense patriotic enthusiasm.… pic.twitter.com/eimcll4Zz0

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) 21 February 2024

Opposition party Shiromani Akali Dal has also condemned the remarks and demanded action. “I strongly condemn the condemnable act of inciting communal sentiments by making separatist remarks on a Sikh police officer in West Bengal yesterday. The turban is our identity and has been bestowed upon us by our great Guru Sahiban. It has also always been a reflection of our fierce patriotic fervour. Action must be taken against the culprits for trying to defame and defame it and indulging in acts detrimental to peace and communal harmony in the country, Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a post on Twitter. .

bat lion

This is the way to respond to those who spread such hatred.

I request @BJP4India The leadership has been asked to take strict action against anyone considering it a hate crime. #sikh The officer is extremely condemnable. pic.twitter.com/maL2T5Tb5u

— Bikram Singh Majithia (@bsmajithia) 20 February 2024

Akali Dal general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia said in a post, “Balle Shera. This is the way to respond to those spreading such hatred. I request the @BJP4India leadership to take strict action against this as any #Sikh official would Hate crime against is extremely condemnable.” On X.

State Congress chief Amarinder Raja Singh Waring has questioned whether BJP thinks the same about Sikhs. He asked that if an IPS officer is facing such treatment, one can only wonder how an ordinary Sikh will be treated.

This is shameful beyond words.

BJP workers in West Bengal are calling a Sikh IPS officer a Khalistani just because he is performing his duty. Is this what BJP thinks about Sikhs?

Strict action should be taken against those who commit such hooliganism and try to portray Sikhs as… pic.twitter.com/VBIyolY2cW

— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) 20 February 2024

Congress’s Pratap Singh Bajwa, leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, said the incident was “shameful beyond words”.

He said, “BJP workers in West Bengal are calling a Sikh IPS officer a Khalistani just because he is performing his duty. Is this what the BJP thinks about Sikhs? What a shame to indulge in such hooliganism and brand Sikhs as Khalistanis. “Strict action should be taken against those trying to portray that.” Said in a post on X.