Malicious, Racial...Stern Legal Action: Bengal Police Says After Officer Was Allegedly Called 'Khalistani'
In the midst of the protests in West Bengal”s Sandeshkhali, another disturbing incident has unfolded, drawing sharp condemnation from the state”s law enforcement authorities. Suvendu Adhikari, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, allegedly targeted an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer on duty, hurling derogatory remarks at him.
The incident occurred in Dhamakhali, where the Sikh IPS officer had been deployed to maintain order and prevent Suvendu Adhikari from entering the restive area. Adhikari reportedly referred to the officer as a “Khalistani”, a term with deeply racial and communal undertones.
Reacting strongly to the incident, the West Bengal Police issued a statement expressing outrage and denouncing the verbal attack on one of their own. In a statement, the West Bengal Police fraternity condemned the derogatory remarks made by Adhikari, emphasizing that the officer”s only “fault” was being a proud Sikh and a capable law enforcement official.
We, the West Bengal Police fraternity, are outraged to share this video, where 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…(1/3)
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) February 20, 2024
The statement further labeled Adhikari”s comments as both malicious and racially charged, accusing him of attempting to incite communal tensions and provoke violence. The West Bengal Police asserted that such behavior constituted a criminal act and vowed to take stern legal action against those responsible.
Stern legal action is being initiated. (3/3)#Honourandduty #WBP pic.twitter.com/ucHCZTLFvk
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) February 20, 2024
“We unequivocally condemn the unprovoked, unacceptable attack on an individual’s religious identity and beliefs aimed to incite people to take to violence and break the law. Stern legal action is being initiated,” the statement read.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee also slammed the BJP for their alleged Khalistani remark. On social media platform X, Mamata Banerjee shared the video in which BJP protestors and Police officer engaging in confrontation. “Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per @BJP4India every person wearing a TURBAN is a KHALISTANI,” she said in the tweet.
