Mamata Banerjee reacts to ‘Khalistani’ remark row, asks ‘Would you call Muslim cops Pakistanis?’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee commented on the alleged labeling of a Sikh police officer as “Khalistani,” questioning, ‘if an officer wears a turban, how can one call him a Khalistani?’

Her statement followed an incident on Tuesday where a Sikh police officer confronted a group of BJP leaders and workers, claiming he was called a Khalistani by them.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata for International Mother Language Day, Banerjee addressed the issue, questioning, “What was the fault of the officer on duty? Is there no Sikh regiment in the force? We respect all religions. If an officer wears a turban, how can you call him Khalistani? Similarly, there are Muslim IAS, IPS, and WBCS officers; how can you call them Pakistani just because he is a Muslim officer?”

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police released a video on Wednesday alleging that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari used the ‘Khalistani’ slur against a Sikh police officer during a face-off between BJP workers and police near violence-hit Sandeshkhali.

The Bengal Police announced their intention to take legal action in the matter.

The BJP accused Banerjee of “trying to distract from the Sandeshkhali incident.” Sandeshkhali has witnessed unrest for the past two weeks following allegations against Trinamool Leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grabbing and sexual assault” by several women.

During the event, Banerjee also addressed the alleged deactivation of Aadhaar cards in Bengal. Previously, she had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that Aadhaar cards of people from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes had been deactivated in the state.

Banerjee asserted, “We do not believe in Aadhaar. We have successfully thwarted the conspiracy related to Aadhaar card deactivation. There is a conspiracy to establish detection camps and to implement the NRC.”