The BJP has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his recent comments about the Sikh community made during an event in Virginia, USA. BJP leaders, including RP Singh and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, have challenged Gandhi to repeat his statements in India and warned of possible legal repercussions.
BJP's Criticism
RP Singh accused Gandhi of ignoring the Congress party's involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "3,000 Sikhs were massacred in Delhi... He doesn’t say that this happened when Congress was in power," Singh said. He urged Gandhi to make similar statements in India and threatened legal action if he did.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also condemned Gandhi, asserting that as the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Gandhi should not damage India's reputation abroad. Chouhan contrasted Gandhi with former LoP Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who never criticized India on foreign soil. He accused Gandhi of having anti-BJP and anti-Modi sentiments, suggesting that Gandhi’s comments are aimed at discrediting India on a global stage.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari joined the criticism, alleging that Gandhi is spreading misleading narratives. Bhandari also suggested that Congress is grappling with internal issues, including corruption scandals.
TMC's Support
In contrast, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha defended Gandhi, claiming that the BJP consistently opposes Gandhi’s actions, including his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Sinha noted that Gandhi frequently faces backlash from the ruling party, regardless of the context of his statements.
Gandhi’s Remarks on Sikhs
During the event in Virginia, Gandhi discussed issues faced by Sikhs in India. He emphasized that the real fight is about whether Sikhs will be allowed to wear traditional symbols like turbans and kada, and visit Gurdwaras in India. "The fight is about whether...he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara," Gandhi said.
Gandhi also criticized the ruling BJP, claiming that the "fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi" among people dissipated after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that Modi’s efforts to instill fear through various means had failed, and that the perception of Modi as a powerful leader had diminished.
Gandhi, currently visiting the US, arrived in Dallas on Sunday and has been engaging with students, teachers, and members of the Indian diaspora in both Dallas and Virginia.
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