Sikh delegation meets Bengal Governor, protests ‘Khalistani’ remark

The term was reportedly used when Mr Adhikari stopped on his way to Sandeshkhali.

Kolkata:

Representatives of the Sikh community met West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose on Thursday to protest against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s alleged “Khalistani” remark on an IPS officer.

IPS officer Jaspreet Singh has claimed that Adhikari, the leader of opposition in the state assembly, used the word “Khalistani” against him when he was stopped by police on his way to restive Sandeshkhali on Tuesday. Although the BJP leader denied any such comment, the matter became a big controversy.

“The way Suvendu Adhikari used the word Khalistani against an IPS officer is derogatory. It has hurt the sentiments of every member of the Sikh community,” a spokesperson of the community told reporters near the Raj Bhavan after meeting Mr Bose. “

“Jaspreet Singh cannot be called a “Khalistani” just because he wears a turban,” said a spokesperson representing members of Kolkata’s seven gurudwaras.

Referring to the importance and sanctity of the turban, he said insulting any turban-wearing member of the community was tantamount to insulting the Sikh Gurus.

“The Sikhs of the country will not tolerate this quietly,” the spokesperson said.

He said that during their meeting, Shri Bose mentioned the great contribution made by the members of the Sikh community in nation building, freedom struggle, protecting the borders and in every field.

Mr Bose, as the constitutional head of West Bengal, is expected to write to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about “writing a letter about the disrespect to a Sikh IPS officer on duty and appropriately addressing the community’s grievances”, the spokesperson said. Was requested.

He said that no work should be done to hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs or any other community.

Mr Bose did not meet the media after the Sikh delegation’s visit to Raj Bhavan.

Youth and student wings of Trinamool Congress took out rallies in Kolkata, Asansol in West Bardhaman district and Siliguri in Darjeeling district to protest against the attack.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)