Sikh Police Officer Alleges BJP Leader Called him ‘Khalistani’

On 20 Feb, Indian Police Service officer Jaspreet Singh, serving as Special Superintendent of Police (SSP) from the Intelligence Branch, was deputed at Dhamakhali. His task was to prevent West Bengal’s BJP leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. Sandeshkhali is an island in the Sunderban Delta, currently in the news over the alleged rape and torture of women by Shahjahan Sheikh, who enjoys CM of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee’s patronage. At Dhamakhali, according to SSP Jaspreet, Adhikari called him a ‘Khalistani.’ Jaspreet responded, ‘Just because I am wearing a turban, you are saying this. If I was not wearing a turban, would you call me a Khalistani? You cannot say this about my religion.’ BJP denied the allegation. ‘No one has abused him or used the word Khalistani. He is trying to make an issue. The police officer was not performing his duty as per the Constitution,’ said BJP leader Agnimitra Paul. The Panjab government backed SSP Jaspreet, the SGPC and the opposition blamed BJP. The Sikhs of Bengal protested in favor of SSP Jaspreet at Kolkata and of Jamshedpur have demanded action. Manjinder Singh Sirsa from BJP criticized Banerjee over her past association with INC leaders responsible for 1984 genocide but missed saying she had also partnered with BJP. The deeper implications of this incident are how for Sikhs living outside Panjab within India, Khalistan has negative connotations, and its use as an insult. The way Banerjee created a ruckus over the issue shows how the intentional targeting of a Sikh is being used to distract from the communal violence in Sandeshkhali.