(Image: Twitter Source)
Meanwhile, West Bengal police on Friday denied the allegations, saying the turban “had automatically fallen off in the ensuing skirmish, without any attempt from our officer.” In two tweets, police said they asked Balwinder Singh, 43, to “put the turban back on” before being escorted to the police station.
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- Last update: October 10, 2020 9:36 am IST
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Payal Mehta
Mamata Banerjee’s government has been embroiled in much controversy when a Sikh man’s turban fell off during a fight with West Bengal police following the crackdown on the BJP “Nabanna Chalo” protests in Howrah. On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh expressed shock at the “humiliating treatment” and urged his Bengali counterpart to crack down on the police for hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
Singh’s media adviser, Raveen Thukral, took to Twitter late Friday to condemn the incident. “Not done,” says Punjab CM @ capt_amarinder, expressing shock at the humiliating treatment of a young Sikh by @WBPolice, who allegedly removed his turban during the arrest, “he wrote on the microblogging website.
Meanwhile, West Bengal police on Friday denied the allegations, saying the turban “had come off automatically in the fight that followed, without any attempt from our officer.” In two tweets, police said they asked Balwinder Singh, 43, to “put the turban back on” before being escorted to the police station.
Former Punjab Deputy Prime Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal called the incident a “cruel attack” by the Bengal police. “Strongly condemn the fierce attack on a Sikh security officer Balwinder Singh and the disrespect for his turban by the West Bengal police. The dishonor has enraged Sikhs around the world. I urge Mamata Banerjee to take action copies against the wayward policemen, “he tweeted.
Previously, veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also tweeted about the incident. By tagging CM Banerjee in his post, Singh sought attention to the matter.
Police recovered a 9mm pistol from Singh and charged him under the Indian Gun Law for an invalid gun license, which was issued in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. Singh has also identified him as a former Rashtriya rifle soldier in Rajouri. However, the head of BJP Bengal, Dilip Ghosh, said that Singh was the security of a BJP leader.
“The interested party carried firearms in yesterday’s protest. El Pagri had automatically dropped in the fight that followed, without any attempt from our officer (visible in the attached video). It is never our intention to hurt the feelings of any community, ”West Bengal police tweeted on Friday night.
The West Bengal Police respect all religions. The officer specifically asked him to return his Pagri prior to the arrest. The attached photo was clicked just before he was escorted to the police station. We remain committed to our duty to respect law and order in the state (2/2) pic.twitter.com/BnTWztfDGW
– West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) October 9, 2020
The BJP’s Bengal unit lashed out at the Banerjee government and staged a silent march with posters seeking “justice for Balwinder Singh”.
“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 police officers should be punished! (SIC) ”, tweeted Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP’s Bengal manager.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesman in Delhi, Tajinder Pal Bagga, compared the incident to the Sikh riots of 1984.
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