IPS officer says Bengal BJP workers called him ‘Khalistani’, Opposition deplores ‘divisive politics’

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, however, denied that the officer – Jaspreet Singh – was called a Khalistani.

Feb 20, 2024 - 20:00

IPS officer says Bengal BJP workers called 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 Party workers called him a “Khalistani” during an argument.

Commenting on the incident, Opposition party leaders accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics and called for strong action in the matter.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, who can be seen in the video that is doing the rounds on social media, denied that the officer was called a Khalistani – a supporter of an independent homeland for Sikhs.

Today, the BJP's divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India every person wearing a TURBAN is a KHALISTANI.

I VEHEMENTLY CONDEMN this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of our SIKH BROTHERS & SISTERS, revered for their… pic.twitter.com/toYs8LhiuU— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 20, 2024

The officer, Jaspreet Singh, was deputed in Dhamakhali to prevent state Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali village in the North 24 Parganas district. In recent days, Sandeshkhali has been gripped by protests by women who have levelled allegations of sexual assault and land-grabbing against Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides.

“Just because I am wearing a turban, you will call me a Khalistani?” Singh is seen asking in the video. “If a policeman wears a...