BJP defiant over ‘Khalistani’ slur charge
The BJP has vehemently denied accusations that its leader in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, insulted a Sikh IPS officer by labeling him a ‘Khalistani’ during a clash between BJP activists and the police near Sandeshkhali.
The state BJP claims that the officer, Jaspeet Singh, breached a Calcutta High Court directive permitting Adhikari’s visit to Sandeshkhali.
Adhikari contends that the governing Trinamool Congress is using the incident to shift the focus away from Sandeshkhali.
Jaspreet Singh, the officer in question, confronted a group of BJP lawmakers, including Adhikari, saying, “You are labelling me a Khalistani for wearing a turban. Does wearing a turban and performing one’s duty automatically make one a Khalistani? Is this the depth of your reasoning?”
“I haven’t commented on your religion. You shouldn’t comment on mine either. Has anyone criticised your religious beliefs? Then why do you?,” he further told the BJP leaders.
ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar noted that the incident occurred during the enforcement of Section 144 in Dhamakhali on the morning of February 20.
