Was what I said wrong: Rahul Gandhi on Sikh remarks

While interacting with students and members of the Indian diaspora in the US earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had talked about Sikh rights, which had led to strong criticism by the BJP.

Rahul Gandhi had visited the US on his maiden international trip as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. (Photo: Congress/ X)

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, on Saturday slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “spreading lies” about his remarks on the Sikh community during a recent visit to the United States, that had sparked controversy.

Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi wrote: “I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad – is there anything wrong in what I have said? Shouldn’t India be a country where every Sikh – and every Indian – can freely practice their religion without fear?”

“As usual, the BJP is resorting to lies. They are desperate to silence me because they cannot stand the truth. But I will always speak up for the values that define India: our unity in diversity, equality, and love,” he added.

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While interacting with students and members of the Indian diaspora earlier this month, Rahul had said, “First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. That is superficial.”

“The fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India or a kada in India. Or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about. And not just for him, for all religions,” the Congress leader said.

The BJP has been spreading lies about my remarks in America.

I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad – is there anything wrong in what I have said? Shouldn’t India be a country where every Sikh – and every Indian – can freely practice their religion… pic.twitter.com/sxNdMavR1X

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 21, 2024

The BJP came down heavily on Rahul Gandhi over his remarks. Targeting him for suggesting that Sikhs as a community felt insecure in India, the BJP claimed that the Congress leader was trying to create a “dangerous narrative” by speaking on “sensitive issues” abroad.

Reacting to Rahul’s comments, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) never talked about the Sikhs while being in India. When they were in power, which government produced the monsters… they needed to do some solid introspection in order to find out why this happened. This is a narrative anchored in lies… this thing about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, what he did, that either I want what I want, else I will destroy it, this is that kind of mindset.”

“I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I’m using this word carefully, attempt to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom,” Puri had further said.

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