At a US event, Rahul Gandhi stated that the struggle in India revolves around whether a Sikh, like himself, would be permitted to wear a turban in the country.
Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
During an event in the US, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a statement about religious freedom in India, particularly referencing the Sikh community, which has ignited a massive political row. Gandhi’s comments suggested that the fight in India is about whether a Sikh would be allowed to wear a turban or visit a Gurdwara in the country.
The BJP swiftly reacted, accusing Gandhi of promoting a dangerous narrative on foreign soil. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticized Gandhi for making statements without understanding the facts, pointing to India’s diversity and unity as sensitive issues. Puri reminded Gandhi of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that took place under Congress rule, where thousands of Sikhs were killed, their turbans removed, and their sense of security shattered. He stressed that the only time the Sikh community felt fear and insecurity was during the 1984 riots under Rahul’s father, Rajiv Gandhi.
Puri, who himself wears a turban, stated that he has traveled extensively across India without facing the issues Gandhi highlighted. He further escalated the attack by drawing parallels between Gandhi’s rhetoric and the language used by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, asking whether Gandhi had ties with the fugitive.
What Did Rahul Gandhi Say?
While addressing the Indian diaspora in Virginia, Gandhi claimed that the real struggle in India is about whether a Sikh would be allowed to practice his faith freely—wearing a turban, a kada, or visiting a Gurdwara. He emphasized that the fight is not just about politics but about religious freedoms in India, extending the issue to all religions.
BJP’s Response
BJP leader RP Singh expressed his intent to file a legal case against Gandhi, accusing him of spreading misinformation and dishonoring the memory of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Singh challenged Gandhi to repeat his statements in India, reminding him of the Congress-led government’s role during the 1984 massacres.
The 1984 riots followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, leading to the brutal killing of thousands of Sikhs, particularly in Delhi and Kanpur.
Accusations of Defaming India
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came during his first three-day visit to the US as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. Alongside his statements on religious freedom, he raised issues such as unemployment and the influence of the RSS in India. BJP leaders were quick to condemn his comments, with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accusing him of tarnishing India’s image abroad and equating it to an act of treason.
The controversy surrounding Gandhi’s remarks continues to fuel political tensions, with BJP leaders accusing him of damaging India’s reputation on an international platform.
