Rahul Gandhi’s recent trip to the US has been marred by a series of missteps that have sparked a significant political uproar in India. His meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a figure with a history of contentious positions, has particularly drawn fire from the BJP. Gandhi’s visit, meant to bolster ties between the two nations, is now overshadowed by past controversies involving Omar, and also his inflammatory remarks on Sikh rights and reservation policies in India. Here’s an analysis of how these controversies started:
Controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi-Ilhan Omar meeting in US
The BJP on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of harboring “anti-India” sentiments after his recent meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. This high-profile encounter, part of Gandhi’s three-day tour, has ignited a political firestorm, especially when BJP’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, took to social media to label Omar as a “radical Islamist” and “an advocate of independent Kashmir”. This quite clearly highlights the tense intersection of global politics and national sentiment. But where does this sentiment come from and what does India have against Ilhan Omar?
Well, for starters, Omar has often stirred controversy in India with her statements and actions. In September 2023, she condemned the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and urged the US to support Canada’s investigation into India’s possible role in his death. This prompted strong criticism from Indian politicians, including Shiv Sena UBT’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, who called for an investigation into alleged American interference in Indian matters.
In another incident in April 2022, Omar visited Pakistan-administered Kashmir on a trip sponsored by Islamabad. During her visit, she met with Pakistani leaders and discussed human rights concerns in Jammu and Kashmir. This trip was met with immediate backlash from India, with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi condemning her visit as a violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Later in June 2022, Omar made headlines with a resolution that sparked intense debate. Her proposal called for the US to officially condemn human rights abuses in India, particularly against religious and cultural minorities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Adivasis. The resolution urged the US Secretary of State to classify India as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ under the International Religious Freedom Act. This designation could potentially lead to economic sanctions if India does not address these concerns. Omar highlighted that the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government advisory body, has been advocating for this designation for the past three years, amplifying the call for international accountability. Gandhi’s meeting with Omar is thus met with a fierce rhetoric.
Who is Ilhan Omar?
Ilhan Omar serves as the representative for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. A policy analyst, organizer, public speaker, and advocate, Omar got into Congress in January 2019. Her election marked a historic milestone as she became the first African refugee to join the US House of Representatives and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota. Additionally, she was among the first two Muslim-American women elected to Congress. Born in Somalia, Omar and her family fled the civil war when she was just eight years old, spending four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before resettling in the United States in the 1990s. They eventually settled in Minneapolis in 1997.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Sikhs in India
During an event in Washington DC, where many pro-Khalistan Sikhs were reportedly present, Rahul Gandhi reportedly endorsed the SFJ’s global Khalistan Referendum campaign. He framed the issue as a matter of whether Sikhs in India can freely wear turbans and kadas and access gurdwaras. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, co-founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), praised Gandhi’s comments, describing them as both audacious and rooted in the historical struggles of Sikhs since 1947. Pannun argued that Gandhi’s remarks align with SFJ’s call for a Punjab Independence Referendum to create Khalistan, a Sikh homeland.
Government sources then came out to criticize Gandhi’s remarks, suggesting they contribute to an unwelcome international narrative. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also condemned his statements, noting that they echoed the rhetoric of Khalistani separatist Pannun, who faces terror charges in India.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on reservation in India
During a discussion with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi initially allegedly remarked that India is currently unfair, and suggested that the Congress party would consider ending reservation policies only when the country becomes fairer. He mentioned, “The elephant in the room is that 90 percent of India—OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis—don’t play the game,” which led to significant backlash.
Following the controversy, Gandhi issued a clarification, stating that his comments had been misinterpreted. He said that he is not opposed to reservation policies and affirmed that, if elected, the Congress party would actually support increasing reservation beyond 50 percent. Gandhi’s apology aimed to address the backlash and clarify his position on the matter.