Bengal police said BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari hurled 'Khalistani' slur at a Sikh police officer.
The West Bengal Police on Wednesday posted a video in which they said that during a confrontation between BJP workers and police near the violent Sandeshkhali area, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari shouted the ‘Khalistani’ comment against a Sikh police officer.
Even when the BJP retaliated, claiming that the state’s law enforcement officials had devolved into nothing more than “doormats of the ruling TMC,” the Bengal Police declared that they would take legal action against the action of BJP leader.
West Bengal Police takes it to X
In a series of posts on X, the West Bengal Police said, “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.”
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
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
Stern legal action is being initiated. (3/3)#Honourandduty #WBP pic.twitter.com/ucHCZTLFvk
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) February 20, 2024
“This comment is as much malicious and racial as it is communally inciting. It is a criminal act. 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,” the post read.
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Video circulated all over the internet
The police, and subsequently the ruling Trinamool Congress, also circulated an alleged video purporting to show Suvendu Adhikari standing with other BJP members when all of a sudden the words ‘eta hochhe Khalistani’ (he is a Khalistani) are audible.
It is unclear from the video, though, whether Suvendu Adhikari actually said the controversial phrase.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also shared the video on her X handle, saying, “‘Eta Hochhe Khalistani’ – He is a Khalistani … can you hear the BJP’s filthy mouths and minds? This is BJP’s truth. Make no mistake. Let us call out this hatred and stand up for the Sikh community who are India’s pride.”
“Eta Hochhe Khalistani” – “He is a Khalistani” … can you hear the BJP’s fillthy mouths & minds?
This is BJP’s truth. Make no mistake. Let us call out this hatred & stand up for the Sikh community who are India’s pride. pic.twitter.com/3rcW1scDIk— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) February 20, 2024