Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condemned the BJP for its divisive politics after some saffron party leaders in Sandeshkhali called a Sikh police officer a Khalistani. IPS officer Jaspreet Singh, who along with his team was deputed at Dhamakhali and had put up barricades to stop Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali, was allegedly called a “Khalistani” by a group of BJP supporters.

Reacting to the incident, Miss Banerjee on her ‘X’ handle wrote: “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 SACRIFICES and UNWAVERING DETERMINATION to our nation. We stand firm in protecting Bengal’s social harmony and will take stern lawful measure to prevent any attempt to disrupt it.” Miss Banerjee two days back while commenting on the incidents of Sandeshkhali had remarked that it was RSS that was trying to disturb the area.

TMC national spokesperson Mr Saket Gokhale wrote on ‘X’: “In defiance of High Court directives, inflammatory speeches & divisive remarks continue unchecked, resulting in a halt to all legal actions against @ SuvenduWB. He brazenly brands others as Pakistani or Khalistani without repercussion, all under the PROTECTION of the Judiciar y’s decisions. UNFORTUNATE.”

Mrs Chandrima Bhattacharya, state finance minister, said: “It is BJP’s culture to divide among people on the basis of their religion and caste.” She said the ADG (Law and Order) has said stern action would be taken against those who had tried to instigate people in Sandeshkhali.

She said the president of National Commission for Women (NCW) Mrs REkha Sharma had visited Sandeslhali with a purpose of maligning the Bengal government. “She did not visit Manipur. She is asking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resign, we demand the Prime Minister’s resignation as he did not go to Manipur where women were abused,” she said.