IPS officer says Bengal BJP staff referred to as him ‘Khalistani’, Opposition deplores ‘divisive politics’

A Sikh Indian Police Service officer deputed in West Bengal’s Dhamakhali village alleged on Tuesday {that a} group of Bharatiya Janata Occasion staff referred to as him a “Khalistani” throughout an argument.

Commenting on the incident, Opposition occasion leaders accused the BJP of participating in divisive politics and referred to as for robust motion within the matter.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, who could be seen within the video that’s doing the rounds on social media, denied that the officer was referred to as a Khalistani – a supporter of an unbiased homeland for Sikhs.

The officer, Jaspreet Singh, was deputed in Dhamakhali to stop state Chief of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali village within the North 24 Parganas district. In latest days, Sandeshkhali has been gripped by protests by girls who’ve levelled allegations of sexual assault and land-grabbing towards Trinamool Congress chief Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides.

“Simply because I’m sporting a turban, you’ll name me a Khalistani?” Singh is seen asking within the video. “If a policeman wears a turban, does he turn into a Khalistani?”

Singh stated he would take motion within the matter. “Has anyone stated something about your faith?” he stated to a member of the group. “Then why did you touch upon my faith?”

Responding to the video, Adhikari stated: “We…oppose Pakistanis and Khalistanis however we by no means stated such issues to the officer.” Adhikari was later allowed by a division bench of the Calcutta Excessive Court docket to go to Sandeshkhali, reported PTI.

Nevertheless, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh – its ideological fountainhead – of spreading poison in society within the identify of faith.

“The sting of non secular fanaticism unfold by the BJP is poisoning our numerous tradition to such an extent that protectors of the legislation are being branded terrorists within the identify of faith,” he remarked.

Congress chief and and Chief of Opposition within the Punjab Legislative Meeting Partap Singh Bajwa additionally spoke out towards the style through which Singh was handled. “Is that this what BJP thinks about Sikhs?” he requested. “A robust motion ought to be taken towards these making an attempt to create this hooliganism and portraying Sikhs as Khalistanis.”

Nevertheless, Paul claimed that nobody referred to Singh as a Khalistani. “He’s making an attempt to make a difficulty,” she stated. “The police officer was not performing his obligation as per the Structure.”