Rahul Gandhi Remark on Sikh: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi found himself in another political controversy with his remarks on the state of religious freedom in India, citing the example of Sikhs, at an event in the US, during his three-day visit.

While speaking at an event in Herndon, Virginia, on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said, “The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban…whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the Gurudwara. That’s what the fight is about, and it’s not just for Sikhs, but for all religions”.

His remarks were met with sharp criticism from various leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi in USA: ‘Within minutes of Lok Sabha results, fear of BJP vanished’

“In 1984, 3,000 Sikhs were massacred in Delhi, their turbans were taken off, their hair chopped, and their beards shaved. He doesn’t mention that this happened when the Congress was in power,” BJP national spokesperson RP Singh said, accusing Gandhi of overlooking the Congress party’s own history with the Sikh community.

Singh further challenged Gandhi to repeat his remarks on Indian soil, warning of legal repercussions. “I will file a case against him and drag him to court,” Singh declared.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also reacted to Rahul Gandhi’s statements and said, “The Congress, which has long engaged in appeasement politics and was responsible for the Sikh massacre, is now trying to lecture us.”

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, a prominent Sikh leader, strongly criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his recent comments on the Sikh community at an event in the United States.

“Out of the blue he (Rahul) says that the Sikh community in India has a certain anxiety that they cannot wear a turban or kada. I have been wearing a turban for six decades, and a kada. This government has gone out of its way to address the issues and concerns of the Sikh community… If there’s been one time in our history where we have felt insecurity and an existential threat, was at the time when Rahul Gandhi’s family was in the seat of power,” Puri said during a press conference.

Accusing Rahul of setting a “dangerous” narrative, Puri also recalled the 1984 killings. “In 1984, there was a pogrom on the community. Over 3,000 innocent people were killed. He speaks without knowing the facts. There are some sensitive issues which include our unity and diversity. When he (Rahul) gives statements over these issues, he sets a dangerous narrative.”

Rahul Gandhi’s US visit

Rahul Gandhi embarked on his first three-day visit to the US as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Sunday. Attending several seminars and community-based meetings, the Congress leader raised several issues related to India including unemployment and the ideological influence of the RSS in the country.

BJP was quick to respond to Rahul for his comments on RSS and unemployment, with agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying he was the leader of the opposition and accountable to the country, but “he has been going abroad and spoiling the image of the country, which is a crime akin to treason”.