State Opposition Leader Subhendu Adhikari responded to the Khalistani controversy, vehemently denying the use of any such term in the presence of Sikh police officers. In a statement, Adhikari asserted, "I never used any such word in front of any Sikh police officer. If the Sikh community needs my clarification, if they call me to a Gurudwara anywhere, then I can go and give my explanation, but I cannot bow down before Trinamool."