BOOM

Trending Searches

    SUPPORT
    BOOM

    Trending News

      • Fact Check 
        • Fast Check
        • Politics
        • Business
        • Entertainment
        • Social
        • Sports
        • World
      • Law
      • Explainers
      • News 
        • All News
      • Decode 
        • Impact
        • Scamcheck
        • Life
        • Voices
      • Media Buddhi 
        • Digital Buddhi
        • Senior Citizens
        • Videos
      • Web Stories
      • BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos 
        • Facts Neeti
      • Home-icon
        Home
      • About Us-icon
        About Us
      • Authors-icon
        Authors
      • Team-icon
        Team
      • Careers-icon
        Careers
      • Internship-icon
        Internship
      • Contact Us-icon
        Contact Us
      • Methodology-icon
        Methodology
      • Correction Policy-icon
        Correction Policy
      • Non-Partnership Policy-icon
        Non-Partnership Policy
      • Cookie Policy-icon
        Cookie Policy
      • Grievance Redressal-icon
        Grievance Redressal
      • Republishing Guidelines-icon
        Republishing Guidelines
      • Fact Check-icon
        Fact Check
        Fast Check
        Politics
        Business
        Entertainment
        Social
        Sports
        World
      • Law-icon
        Law
      • Explainers-icon
        Explainers
      • News-icon
        News
        All News
      • Decode-icon
        Decode
        Impact
        Scamcheck
        Life
        Voices
      • Media Buddhi-icon
        Media Buddhi
        Digital Buddhi
        Senior Citizens
        Videos
      • Web Stories-icon
        Web Stories
      • BOOM Research-icon
        BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs-icon
        BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker-icon
        Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos-icon
        Videos
        Facts Neeti
      Trending Tags
      TRENDING
      • #Operation Sindoor
      • #Pahalgam Terror Attack
      • #Narendra Modi
      • #Rahul Gandhi
      • #Waqf Amendment Bill
      • #Arvind Kejriwal
      • #Deepfake
      • #Artificial Intelligence
      • Home
      • Fact Check
      • Old Photo Of Police Detaining Sikh...
      Fact Check

      Old Photo Of Police Detaining Sikh Man Shared With Misleading Claim

      BOOM found that the photo shows the West Bengal police detaining Balwinder Singh, a private security officer, in 2020 on charges of possessing firearms during a protest.

      By - Srijit Das |
      Published -  21 Feb 2024 5:21 PM IST
    • Boomlive
      Listen to this Article
      Old Photo Of Police Detaining Sikh Man Shared With Misleading Claim

      An old image of a police personnel dragging a man by his hair has surfaced on X platform with captions falsely stating that it shows supporters of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mistreating a Sikh.

      BOOM found that the photo is from 2020 and shows the West Bengal Police detaining one Balwinder Singh, a private security officer for carrying firearms during the BJP's 'Nabanna March' protest.

      On February 20, 2024, the West Bengal Police alleged that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari referred to an IPS officer wearing a turban as a "Khalistani," prompting the initiation of strict legal action against him. The IPS officer, SSP Jaspreet Singh was assigned to prevent protesting BJP workers, including Adhikari, from visiting Sandeshkhali. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the alleged remark, stating that the BJP assumes anyone wearing a turban is a Khalistani.

      A verified handle on X shared the photo with a Hindi caption that translates to, "Shame on Rahul Gandhi and his cronies, how they have treated a Sikh police officer."

      (Original Text in Hindi: धिक्कार है राहुल गांधी और उसके चमचों पर, एक सिख पुलिस अधिकारी के साथ कैसा सलूक किया है।)


      Click here to view the post.

      Also Read:2018 Video Peddled As Woman Attacked On Live TV In Sandeshkhali

      Fact Check

      BOOM ran a reverse image search on the picture and found an October 9, 2020 post from the official handle of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, carrying the viral image.

      Badal posted the picture with the caption, "Strongly condemn the vicious attack on a Sikh security official Balwinder Singh & disrespect of his turban by West Bengal Police. The dishonour has infuriated Sikhs across the world. I urge Mamata Banerjee ji to take exemplary action against the erring policemen."

      Strongly condemn the vicious attack on a Sikh security official Balwinder Singh & disrespect of his #turban by West Bengal Police. The dishonour has infuriated Sikhs across the world. I urge @MamataOfficial ji to take exemplary action against the erring policemen. pic.twitter.com/o0QUP9pnWJ

      — Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) October 9, 2020

      Click here to view the post.

      According to reports, the BJP leaders alleged that during their 'Nabanna Abhiyan' protest, the police forcibly removed the turban of a Sikh man.

      The Indian Express on October 10, 2020, reported about the incident stating, "The man, Balwinder Singh (46), is a private security guard of BJP leader Priyanshu Pandey and was arrested for allegedly carrying a loaded gun during a BJP rally to Nabanna on Thursday. Pandey has also been arrested. Police said Balwinder, a resident of Punjab’s Bhatinda, is also an aide of (the then) BJP’s Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh."

      West Bengal police also posted visuals of the incident on October 9, 2020, and clarified, "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 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(2/2) pic.twitter.com/BnTWztfDGW

      — West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) October 9, 2020

      Click here to view the post.

      Below is another footage of the incident posted by former Tripura governor Tathagata Roy.

      One more video of West Bengal Police mercilessly beating up and snatching and untying the turban of Sardar Balwinder Singh.

      S-H-A-M-E ! pic.twitter.com/vGomlFhnno

      — Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) October 10, 2020

      Click here to view the post.

      Later, Karamjit Kaur, wife of Balwinder Singh, told Anandabazar Patrika Online on October 17, 2020, that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented a salwar suit and kurta-pajama to her son during the Durga Puja festivities. Kaur expressed her desire to reciprocate the gesture by gifting a turban to the chief minister.

      The report also noted that Mamata Banerjee's actions resulted in the cancellation of protests that were earlier planned by members of the Sikh community.

      Former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, then shared a photo of the security officer's wife, with a caption, "Special thanks to Mamata Banerjee Ji for the assurance given by DGP of Bengal Police towards justice to Karamjeet Kaur, wife of ex-armyman Balwinder Singh. Mamta Ji has also sent a suit for Karamjit Kaur which is the most beautiful gift given to her during Bengal Pooja".

      Special thanks to @MamataOfficial Ji for the assurance given by DGP of Bengal Police towards justice to Karamjeet Kaur, wife of ex-armyman Balwinder Singh

      Mamta Ji has also sent a suit for Karamjit Kaur which is the most beautiful gift given to her during Bengal Pooja
      🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/lltnKNWCeE

      — Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 16, 2020

      Click here to view the post.

      Also Read:Old Clip Of Nihang Sikh Protester Wielding Sword At Cops Viral As Recent


      Tags

      Sikh ManRahul GandhiWest Bengal
      Read Full Article
      Claim :   Photo shows supporters of Rahul Gandhi manhandling a Sikh police officer.
      Claimed By :  Social Media Users
      Fact Check :  Misleading
      Next Story
      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. Please reload after ad blocker is disabled.
      X

      Subscribe to BOOM Newsletters

      👉 No spam, no paywall — but verified insights.

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe for free!

      Stay Ahead of Misinformation!

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe Now🛡️ 100% Privacy Protected | No Spam, Just Facts
      By subscribing, you agree with the Terms & conditions and Privacy Policy connected to the offer

      Thank you for subscribing!

      You’re now part of the BOOM community.

      Or, Subscribe to receive latest news via email
      Subscribed Successfully...
      Copy HTMLHTML is copied!
      There's no data to copy!