A political dispute has emerged in Sandeshkhali while the BJP leaders were barred from entering the region by the West Bengal police.
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee released the video on X and said, “Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per the BJP 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 SACRIFICES and UNWAVERING DETERMINATION to our nation. We stand firm in protecting Bengal’s social harmony and will take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it.”
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
While the video does not capture the specific moment when the term was uttered, the officer can be heard stating, “Because I am wearing a turban, you’re saying this. If I was not wearing a turban, would you have called me Khalistani? You can say what you want about the police, but you can’t comment on my religion.”
The confrontation occurred when the police prevented BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from visiting the turbulent Sandeshkhali island in North 24 Parganas district. In the video, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, who was accompanying Suvendu Adhikari, is seen engaging in a heated argument with the police officer at Dhamakhali. While the officer responds to the alleged taunt, a BJP leader can be heard saying, “we haven’t said it”.
The police officer featured in the video is Jaspreet Singh, an IPS officer from the 2016 batch, currently serving as the Special Superintendent (Intelligence Bureau) in the West Bengal Police.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP on Tuesday, accusing the party of engaging in divisive politics that exceeds constitutional boundaries.
The Chief Minister condemned the “attempt to tarnish the reputation of our Sikh brothers and sisters,” adding, “Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly exceeded constitutional boundaries. According to the BJP, anyone wearing a turban is labeled as a Khalistani.” Mamata Banerjee stated this on X.
