Police take action against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari for calling IPS officer 'Khalistani'

• West Bengal Police take legal action against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari for allegedly hurling a 'Khalistani' slur at a Sikh police officer
• The police denounce the act as malicious, racial, and communally inciting, promising stern legal measures
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemns BJP's divisive politics, asserting commitment to safeguarding social harmony

West Bengal Police has initiated legal action against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari after he allegedly called a Sikh police officer a 'Khalistani,' sparking outrage and condemnation. The police characterized Adhikari's remark as malicious, racial, and communally inciting, emphasizing their commitment to upholding individual religious identities and beliefs. In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized BJP's divisive politics, asserting her determination to preserve Bengal's social harmony and take lawful measures to prevent disruptions.

The incident unfolded during an altercation between police forces and political figures in Dhamakhali, where Subhendu Adhikari referred to IPS Jaspreet Singh as a 'Khalistani.' The episode comes amidst ongoing unrest in Sandeshkhali, where women protestors are demanding justice against alleged atrocities, while the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) questions the West Bengal police's actions in related cases, and the Editors Guild of India issues a statement on press freedom concerns in the region.

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