Sikh Man Turban Pull Controversy: BJP Criticizes WB Government, Police Say “He automatically fell in a fight” | India News

CALCUTTA: A controversy broke out on Friday about police allegedly assaulting a Sikh man and removing his turban during a BJP demonstration in Howrah, West Bengal, but police said the person was carrying a firearm and his helmet ” he had automatically fallen into the fray that followed. ”
The BJP, whose protest march to the Nabanna state secretariat on Thursday saw clashes with police, accused the Trinamool congressional government of hurting Sikhs’ feelings.
The incident drew further attraction on social media after cricketer Harbhajan Singh tweeted, tagging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to say, “Please investigate the matter. This is simply not done.”

When footage of the incident went viral and sparked a great political controversy, West Bengal police tweeted on Friday: “The person in question was carrying firearms at yesterday’s protest. El Pagri had automatically fallen in the ensuing melee. without any attempt by our officer to do so. It is never our intention to hurt the feelings of any community. ”
The Trinamool Congress denied the accusations as “unfounded”.
The man was identified as Balwinder Singh, 43, of Bhatinda. Singh, a former Indian army soldier, is currently working as a private security officer hired by a BJP leader, the party leadership said.
According to the police, a loaded pistol was recovered from him. The pistol license is valid until January of next year.
He also said that the police officer in question had asked him “to put the turban back on before being arrested.”
“The West Bengal Police respect all religions. The officer specifically asked you to return your Pagri prior to arrest. The attached photo was clicked just before you were escorted to the police station. We remain committed to our duty to uphold the law. and order in the state, “he said in another tweet, with a photo of Singh in a turban.

In reaction to the incident, the BJP National Secretary General Kailash Vijayvargiya said that even the brave soldiers who had served the nation are not spared under the TMC regime and demanded severe punishment for guilty policemen.
“Security personnel Balwinder Singh was beaten by West Bengal police on the road and insulted his turban; he is a capable soldier! He has also taken several military courses! The humiliation of such brave people is sad in Mamata Raj. Tales cops should be punished! “he tweeted.
BJP National Secretary Arvind Menon also criticized the West Bengal Police.
“By pulling Sardar Balwinder Singh Ji’s turban, the Bengal police have insulted all Sikhs in the country, today it seems that the Mughal government has re-established itself in Bengal. Was there no respect for the religious feelings of anyone except one? particular community in Bengal? ” Menon said in a tweet.
TMC leader and senior minister Firhad Hakim called the accusations “unfounded” and said “the law will follow its own course.”
“We are not like BJP, we respect all religions, castes, creeds,” Hakim said.
Parts of Kolkata and neighboring Howrah looked like a battle zone on Thursday as BJP workers and supporters clashed with police, throwing stones and blocking roads with burning tires, to protest a series of killings of saffron party workers.
Police personnel in riot gear set off tear gas projectiles, beat rioters and used water cannons to break up the protests still raging in Kolkata and Howrah.