"Khalistani" slur at IPS officer: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in trouble
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Kolkata: In West Bengal, a BJP leader hurling the "Khalistani" slur at an IPS officer has put BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the state Suvendu Adhikari on the defensive. The incident, which became a large controversy, was captured on camera and was seen by many.
Many, including State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Sikh body SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) and the Congress slammed the BJP, while the state police accused Adhikari of making the remark, adding that strong legal action would be taken, NDTV reported.
Bengal Police took it to X and wrote, "One of our own officers was called 'Khalistani' by the state's Leader of the Opposition. His 'fault': he is both a proud Sikh and a capable police officer who was trying to enforce the law… this comment is as much malicious and racial as it is communally inciting. It is a criminal act."
Adhikari had led a group of BJP leaders to the Sandeshkhali, and police stopped them. Then one of the protesters reportedly called a senior police officer on duty "Khalistani".
The officer angrily responded that was it because of his turban. He was called Khalistani. He said that no one can attack his religion, and he has not said anything about the other person's religion. He said he would take action about the incident.
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident and accused the BJP of divisive politics.
Condemning it, SGCP posted on social media, "Leaders who have such thinking in the country should never forget that Sikhs have made the most sacrifices for the freedom and protection of the country… It is a big question that such people in the country deliberately create an atmosphere of hatred, but the governments remain silent."
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that BJP's religious fanaticism is poisoning India's diverse culture to the extent that even protectors of the law were being branded as terrorists in the name of religion. Kharge asked whether "Sabka Saath" meant destroying the Constitution made by Ambedkar. He stabbed Modi, saying that the PM's only objective is to spread hatred, disharmony and violence between different sections of people.