West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come out in support of the Sikh IPS officer, who was allegedly called “Khalistani” by BJP workers, during Suvendu Adhikari’s visit to Sandeshkhali.

The IPS officer, who was wearing a turban, was deployed to stop the protesting BJP workers from visiting Sandeshkhali. As BJP leaders indulged in an argument with the IPS officers, someone shouted “Khalistani”, which prompted strong reactions from the officer who advised the BJP leaders to leave his religion alone.

Condemning the incident, Banerjee accused the BJP of indulging in divisive politics and overstepping constitutional boundaries.

“Today, the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped constitutional boundaries. As per BJP 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,” she wrote on ‘X’.

The Bengal CM also said that stern action will be taken against those trying to disrupt the social harmony of the state

“We stand firm in protecting Bengal’s social harmony and will take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it,” Banerjee added.

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… pic.twitter.com/toYs8LhiuU

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 20, 2024

The alleged incident took place on Monday and a purported video of it has since gone viral on social media.

The video shows SSP Jaspreet Singh and BJP leaders, including MLA Agnimitra Paul indulging in a heated argument after the officer was called Khalistani.

“I will take action on this. Just because I am wearing a turban, you assumed I am a Khalistani? You cannot say anything about my religion. Has anybody said anything about your religion? Then why did you comment on my religion?” the angry officer told the MLA.

“Nobody is making any comments on religion, only you are making. If any police person is wearing a turban, are they assumed as Khalistani?… I’m not discussing your faith; don’t bring up mine either. How dare you label me a Khalistani! Is this your level?” he added.

Punjab Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa has called for a strong action against BJP workers for trying to portray Sikhs as Khalistanis.

“This is shameful beyond words. BJP workers in West Bengal are calling a Sikh IPS officer Khalistani just because he is doing his duty. Is this what BJP thinks about Sikhs? A strong action should be taken against those trying to create this hooliganism and portraying Sikhs as Khalistanis,”

Meanwhile, the BJP has said that none of its leaders called the police officer “Khalistani”.

“We never do such things. We do nationalist politics, oppose Pakistanis and Khalistanis but we never said such things to the officer,” Suvendu Adhikari said.