A recent political controversy erupted in West Bengal after a BJP leader allegedly used a ‘Khalistani’ slur against a Sikh police officer, which swiftly caught the public’s attention through a social media video. In response to the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s supposed remarks, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the SGPC, and the Congress party have come forward to denounce the BJP. The state police have declared their intentions to pursue legal action against the accusation, while the BJP rejected any wrongdoing, suggesting the police are subservient to the Trinamool Congress. The incendiary situation escalated when the police officer confronted BJP protesters during their march to Sandeshkhali, leading to a standoff where a BJP activist allegedly called the officer a ‘Khalistani’ because of his turban.
The public discourse intensified with condemnations from various quarters, as the Chief Minister, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP for allegedly engaging in religiously charged and divisive rhetoric. The BJP, on the other hand, denied the allegations, alleging mistreatment of Sikh protesters by the police and accusing them of political bias. The incident has stirred major unrest in the region, especially as the BJP sought to challenge a court order prohibiting them from entering Sandeshkhali, an area under contention owing to accusations against a local Trinamool Congress leader of sexual exploitation and corruption.
Amidst this furor, IPS officer Jaspreet Singh stood firm against the alleged ‘Khalistani’ labeling, reprimanding the BJP MLAs, including Adhikari, for the insinuation linked to his wearing of a turban. The West Bengal police, led by ADG Supratim Sarkar, supported their officer and prepared to take stringent legal measures. The BJP’s Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal disputed the claims, daring the police to substantiate the charge within a day or brace for consequences. This has set the stage for a deeply polarized conflict, engaging the politics of communal identity against the backdrop of law enforcement and political rivalry in West Bengal.