Sandeshkhali row: Why Khalistan becomes the tipping point for Trinamool-BJP fight?

What happened?

On February 20, Adhikari and his aides reached Sandeskhali after being granted permission by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court. The South Bengal village began simmering since February 8 when allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by Trinamool leaders surfaced.

When Adhikari tried to enter area, he was stopped by the police. It was alleged that Adhikari and other party workers abused Jaspeet Singh, a Sikh IPS officer, identifying him as a Khalistani separatist from Punjab, when he confronted the BJP workers.

A video appeared on social media where the officer is heard saying, "I'm wearing a turban, that's why you call me a Khalistani? I will take action about this... You cannot attack my religion. I have not said anything about your religion.”  Singh is posted as Special Superintendent of Police (SSP), Intelligence Branch (IB) at the Basirhat police station.

What did the police say?

In a series of posts on the social media platform X, the Bengal Police said it would initiate legal action. "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... This comment is as much malicious and racial as it is communally inciting. It is a criminal act…,” it said.

What does BJP say?

Adhikari, who had defected from the Trinamool to the BJP camp before the last state polls, challenged the police to prove their allegation within 24 hours, or face consequences. Accusing Jaspeet Singh of violating the high court order that allowed Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali, the Bengal unit of the BJP alleged that the police were "more interested in being a political player than policing".

Amit Malviya, the BJP’s IT cell chief, shared Adhikari's challenge on social media. "BJP LoP Suvendu Adhikari dares ADG (South Bengal) to prove his charge that a slur was hurled at a Sikh police officer, within 24 hours or face consequences. @WBPolice, Mamata Banerjee’s only line of defence, is crumbling. They should now retreat to their barracks…,” it read.

What does the Bengal CM say?

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X: "As per the BJP, every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani... I veimently condemn this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of our SIKH BROTHERS & SISTERS, revered for their SACRIFICES and UNWAVERING DETERMINATION to our nation,” she said.

What do opposition parties say?

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann too joined the chorus to condemn the incident. “It is highly condemnable for a BJP leader to call a Sikh IPS officer of Bengal a traitor. Perhaps BJP does not know that till date, Punjabis have made maximum sacrifice in liberating the country and maintaining its independence. BJP should apologise to Punjabis,” he wrote on X.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the incident. "The poison spread by the BJP's 'cultivation of hatred' has tainted our 'political marketplace'. People who have been blinded by this poison are neither able to see the farmers, nor the soldiers, nor the respect for khaki. The nation stands with IPS Jaspreet Singh," he said on X.

According to reports, the Trinamool Congress will hold protests in the state over the issue on February 22.