BJP gearing up for next 'Nabanna Chalo' movement in Bengal

After pulling off the turban of a Sikh man during BJP's protest in Howrah on Thursday turned into a political battle, BJP said that the party has been gearing up for the next battle in the state against the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.

New Delhi:After pulling off the turban of a Sikh man during BJP's protest in Howrah on Thursday went viral on social media platforms and news channels, the matter turned into a political battle across the county including the Sikh community. According to the BJP, the party has been gearing up for the next battle in the state against the All India Trinamool Congress.

Meanwhile, the state police on Saturday clarified that the incident was just a 'misconception' which was intentionally raised by the opposition parties adding that the man had fallen off automatically in the scuffle with policeman and was carrying firearms. However, the saffron party denied the allegations against the Sikh man and said he has been associated with a state BJP leader as a private bodyguard, accepting the fact of firearms and has no intentions to hurt the sentiments of any religion.

"The concerned person was carrying firearms in yesterday's protest. The Pagri had fallen off automatically in the scuffle that ensued, without any attempt to do so by our officer (visible in the video attached). It is never our intention to hurt the sentiments of any community," West Bengal Police tweeted.

The police said that the officer had specifically asked him to put his Pagri back before the arrest.

"West Bengal Police respects all religions. The officer specifically asked him to put his Pagri back before the arrest. The attached photo has been clicked right before he was escorted to the Police Station. We remain committed to our duty to uphold law and order in the state," West Bengal Police tweeted.

The incident took place during the "Nabanna Chalo" (state secretariat) rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) West Bengal on Thursday over corruption in SSC/TET and unemployment in the state.

Earlier, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Akali Dal spokesperson and cricketer Harbhajan Singh urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take action against "erring" police officers.

"Brutal attack on security officer Balwinder Singh & disrespect of his turban by West Bengal Police has angered Sikh community worldwide. I urge you Mamata Banerjee Ji to take action against erring police officers ASAP otherwise we will resort to measures, from protest to legal," Sirsa tweeted.

Commenting on West Bengal Police's explanation, Sirsa said it does not undo the hurt caused by the "insensitivity and brutality" of West Bengal police.

"This explanation does not undo the hurt caused by the insensitivity and brutality of West Bengal police. We want exemplary action against the airing police officers who unleashed their barbarism on Balwinder Singh. We want justice for the disrespect meted out to turban," he tweeted.