Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has filed a complaint against Kolkata Police officers over an incident on October 8 when a scuffle between the West Bengal Police and a Sikh bodyguard of a BJP protestor in Kolkata broke out.
In a video of the incident, cops can be seen manhandling the Sikh man, identified as Balwinder Singh, during which the latter’s turban falls off.
Although the West Bengal Police issued a statement clarifying its personnel did not pull off the turban and it fell off automatically in the scuffle that ensued, the BJP has accused Kolkata Police and the West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of insulting the Sikhs.
The police said the person in question was carrying firearms during the protest and its attempt to recover the same led to the scuffle and the ‘accident’ with the turban.
“I have filed a police complaint in Howrah police station for registration of FIR u/s 295A against Kolkata Police officers who behaved barbarically with Balwinder Singh I hope the DGP @WBPolice will take action on my complaint and ensure justice,” SAD leader and Manjinder Singh Sirsa tweeted.
I have filed a police complaint in Howrah police station for registration of FIR u/s 295A against Kolkata Police officers who behaved barbarically with Balwinder Singh
I hope the DGP @WBPolice will take action on my complaint and ensure justice pic.twitter.com/mfp0v9Ufli
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 12, 2020
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Minorities took note of Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga’s letter to Commission member Atif Rasheed, demanding “strictest possible” action in the matter.
In a tweet, Rasheed said, “As a member of Minorities Commission I have immediately taken cognizance of your complaint and the Commission will take the required action in the matter by tomorrow.”
Bagga, in his letter, said, “What is happening in Bengal is really unforgivable. Brutal attack on security officer Balwinder Singh and disrespect of his turban by West Bengal Police is really shameful and condemnable act.”
“I have really lost my sleep over this. This is really unforgettable. I urge you to take action against erring police officers as soon as possible,” he further said.
The BJP, whose protest march to the state secretariat Nabanna on October 8 witnessed clashes with police, has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led Bengal government of hurting the sentiments of Sikhs.
The TMC, on the other hand, had dubbed the allegations as “baseless” and accused the BJP of “trying to communalise the issue”.
(With PTI inputs)