FIR Filed Against BJP Leader for Allegedly Insulting Sikh Officer
Incident Sparks Controversy in Kolkata
A first information report (FIR) has been lodged against Sukanta Majumdar, the Union minister and West Bengal chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in Kolkata. This follows allegations that he threw sandals at a Sikh police officer's turban, as claimed by the Trinamool Congress on Sunday.
Members of the Sikh community have accused Majumdar of disrespecting their sentiments and are demanding an apology.
Majumdar, however, has dismissed these allegations, asserting that what was thrown was merely a "slipper-shaped paper," according to reports.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday when BJP leaders, including Majumdar, were detained while attempting to visit Mahestala in South 24 Parganas district, an area recently affected by violence.
A video purportedly capturing the incident has circulated widely on social media platforms.
The FIR, filed at Kalighat police station on Friday, was shared on social media by the Trinamool Congress. It alleges that Majumdar threw the slippers at the officer in a public area near Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence.
The complaint, lodged by Sikh community members, claims that Majumdar's actions were intentional and aimed at insulting their religious beliefs.
The FIR cites sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning the intentional infliction of hurt to religious feelings.
The Trinamool Congress stated that the Sikh community has reacted with justified anger to the incident.
They have called for an immediate and unconditional apology, warning of potential protests if their demands are ignored. The ruling party emphasized that the BJP's divisive politics have no place in Bengal, asserting that the insult to one is an insult to all.
In response to the accusations, Majumdar stated that the incident was accidental and clarified that the individual who was hit by the "paper-cut" was part of his security team.
He further claimed that his intention was to throw the paper at the police.
“Has the individual who was hit by the paper complained?” Majumdar was quoted as saying. “This is being orchestrated by Mamata Banerjee, who engages in appeasement politics and fosters communal tensions.”
On Sunday, Gurmeet Singh, president of Gurudwara Bara Sikh Sanghat, expressed that the Sikh community felt deeply offended.
“We had anticipated that action would be taken against Majumdar,” Singh stated. “We hoped for an apology and clarification from him, but nothing has transpired.”
Singh asserted that Majumdar's actions were deliberate. “If he fails to apologize, we will organize a significant protest against the BJP and Majumdar,” he warned.