“Don’t lecture us”: BJP takes on Bengal Police over “Khalistani” slur controversy

Controversy has arisen over the video in which the officer says that a BJP leader has called him Khalistani.

Kolkata:

The BJP has come out strongly against allegations that its Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari used the abuse “Khalistani” against a Sikh IPS officer during a clash between BJP workers and police near Sandeshkhali Island.

Accusing officer Jaspeet Singh of violating the Calcutta High Court order that had allowed Mr Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali, the state BJP alleged that the Bengal Police was “more interested in becoming a political player than in policing.” Is”. Mr Adhikari alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress exaggerated the issue to divert attention from the message.

We, the people of Bengal, are equally angry to see this @WBPoliceThose who should have acted as guardians of law and order in the state have reduced themselves to stooges of the ruling TMC.

Since the West Bengal Police is talking about capacity, do we need to be reminded that… https://t.co/EbBC5VSmFnpic.twitter.com/1iskZ0QGbr

– BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) 20 February 2024

The face-off occurred when Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Mr Adhikari was on his way to Sandeshkhali, which is in the news amid allegations of land grab and extortion against local Trinamool leaders. The BJP has also alleged that associates of senior Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan have sexually harassed the woman.

In a post on Twitter, the Bengal BJP said the state police officers had limited themselves to being Trinamool’s “doormats”.

The BJP official said, “When the same leader was violating the order of the Calcutta High Court by restricting the movement of the opposition, then there was no point in getting into trouble? When the single bench judge banned the visit of the leader of the opposition?” If the approval was given then under which provision did they stop the delegation?” ,

Dhamakhali, which is on the way to Sandeshkhali, witnessed high drama yesterday when Bengal Police stopped Mr Adhikari from visiting the island despite a court order. Ultimately he was allowed to travel after an order from the Calcutta High Court.

The BJP said the IPS officer was “acting as an agent of the Chief Minister, who was hoping that the division bench would stay the single bench order”. It is alleged that the officials kept stopping the BJP delegation.

The BJP said, “The officials concerned are in contempt of court. It is a matter of shame that the West Bengal Police is ready to become a political pawn in the hands of Mamata Banerjee and is dragging religion into this.” It stressed that none of its leaders used the derogatory term, and accused the official of using the occasion “to attract undue attention”.

BJP also questioned why Bengal Police has not been able to arrest Shahjahan till now. The powerful man has been missing ever since a mob of his supporters attacked an Enforcement Directorate team that had gone to Sandeshkhali to conduct a raid against him in a corruption case.

“Sheikh Shahjahan has been absconding for 50 days now. West Bengal Police should also wear this as a medal and reflect on their non-existent ‘competence’. Go, arrest him, if you are ‘competent’ enough. “Just today, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court has issued a direction to arrest Shahjahan and said the state should not protect him. Does this embarrass the WB Police?” They said.

The state BJP also shared visuals of Bengal Police detaining Sikh protesters by removing their turbans. It said, “Here is a video and pictures that remind how disrespectful the WB Police has been towards Sikhs. You pulled the turbans of Sikh protesters and dragged them on the streets to confront Mamata Banerjee’s shabby administration. So don’t preach to us.” ,

We, the West Bengal Police fraternity, are angered by the sharing of this video, where one of our own officers was called a ‘Khalistani’ by the leader of the state opposition. His ‘mistake’: He is a proud Sikh and also a capable police officer who was trying to enforce the law…(1/3)

– West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) 20 February 2024

The state BJP’s rebuttal came after Bengal Police accused Mr Adhikari of using Khalistani slur against a Sikh officer and said the state’s police fraternity was angry. “This comment is as malicious and racial as it is communally inciting. It is a criminal act. We unequivocally condemn this unprovoked, unacceptable attack on an individual’s religious identity and beliefs, aimed at “Incitement to violence and breaking the law.” It said that it is initiating strict action in this matter.

Senior South Bengal police officer Supratim Sarkar has said that Mr Adhikari’s alleged remarks are unbecoming of a political leader. He has said, “We strongly oppose this. We will take legal action against him for this serious comment.”

In response, Mr. Adhikari has challenged the officer to prove his allegation within 24 hours. He has said, “I am asking Supratim Sarkar to give evidence within 24 hours. Otherwise I will take legal action.

A huge political uproar has arisen over the viral video of a heated argument between BJP leaders and a Sikh police officer. 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.” ” BJP leaders are heard accusing the officer of not performing his duty and acting as a pawn of the state government.

Today, BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly crossed constitutional limits. According to @BJP4India Every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani.

I strongly condemn this audacious attempt to tarnish the reputation of our respected Sikh brothers and sisters… pic.twitter.com/toYs8LhiuU

– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) 20 February 2024

Sharing the video on Twitter, Ms Banerjee said, “BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly crossed constitutional limits”. “According to

@BJP4India Every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani. “I strongly condemn this audacious attempt to tarnish the reputation of our Sikh brothers and sisters, revered for their sacrifices and unwavering determination towards our nation,” she said.

The poison of ‘cultivation of hatred’ done by BJP to decorate its ‘political market’ has spread in the society.

People who have been blinded by this poison are neither able to see the farmers, nor the soldiers, nor the respect for khaki.

The country is with IPS Jaspreet Singh. https://t.co/iL6QnQEmin

—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 20 February 2024

Soon after, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared the video and said that BJP’s politics of hate has poisoned the society. “People blinded by this poison cannot see farmers or soldiers or police,” he said.

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

Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of top Sikh organization Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, also reacted sharply on the video. “The deliberate character assassination of a Sikh IPS officer S. Jaspreet Singh by BJP leaders in West Bengal is highly condemnable. Such thinking leaders in the country should never forget that Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifice for the freedom and security of the country. Have given.” Country,” he said in a post on X.