West Bengal news: BJP allegedly hurls 'Khalistani' jibe at IPS officer in Sandeshkhali; Sikhs plan protest. What we know

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Sandeshkhali saw a newer problem erupt when Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) workers allegedly called an IPS officer deputed at Dhamakhali, a ‘Khalistani’. The Sikh IPS officer had been stationed to prevent senior West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from visiting restive Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. Here's what we know so far IPS officer Jaspreet Singh, who along with his team was deputed at Dhamakhali and had put up barricades to stop Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali located just across Kalindi River, was allegedly called a "Khalistani" by a group of BJP supporters.

"Just because I am wearing a turban, you people are calling me a Khalistani? Is this what you have learnt? If a police officer wears a turban and performs his duty honestly, he becomes a Khalistani for you? Shame on you," he was heard saying to the BJP supporters. IPS officer Jaspreet Singh said he was just doing his job. "I am just doing my job.

Did I say anything about your religion, why are you speaking about my religion?" he said. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, accompanying Adhikari, claimed that the police officer wasn't fulfilling his duties and dismissed the allegation that BJP supporters called him a 'Khalistani'. The BJP denied the charge and accused the police officer of not performing his duty as per the Constitution.

"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," Paul said.