- By Shubham Bajpai
- Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
West Bengal BJP chief and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday apologised for hurling a cutout of a pair of slippers at police officers during a protest last week, which hit the turban of a Sikh officer in the state capital Kolkata.
In a post on X, Majumdar said, "If this unfortunate and unintended incident has hurt the religious sentiments of any member of the Sikh community, I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies. It was never my intention to cause any offence or disrespect."
Majumdar's apology came three days after the Sikh organisation, Shri Guru Singh Sabha, filed a complaint against him. After the incident, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) slammed Majumdar and the BJP, raking Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari's alleged Khalistani remark at a Sikh officer.
Taking to X, TMC wrote, "BJP’s hatred knows no bounds, not even when it comes to mocking the sacred symbols of an entire community. First, LoP Suvendu Adhikari branded a turban-wearing police officer a ‘Khalistani’. Now, their State President, Sukanta Majumdar hurled a slipper at an on-duty officer’s turban."
TMC's mention of alleged Khalistani branding was from an incident last year when Adhikari allegedly called IPS officer Jaspreet Singh 'Khalistani'. The incident took place when Adhikari was heading with BJP workers towards Sandeshkhali
After the alleged slur, the officer on spot called out Adhikari for the alleged remarks. The incident triggered massive outrage and started a political slugfest between the BJP and the ruling TMC. After ADG in his statement asserted that Adhikari indeed used the slur, Adhikari clarified that he didn't use such a remark and dared him to prove it.
The turban is one of the most sacred symbols in Sikhism that a devout follower wears. Inderjeet Singh Sekhon, the general secretary of Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Calcutta, had filed a complaint against Majumdar at Kalighat police station.
