BJP spokesperson RP Singh has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to repeat his recent remarks about Sikhs in India. Singh’s challenge comes after Gandhi, while speaking in the United States, commented on the rights of Sikhs to practice their religion in India. Singh threatened to take legal action if Gandhi repeats those comments in India, referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and accusing the Congress of failing to acknowledge its role during that period.
“Three thousand Sikhs were massacred in Delhi, their turbans taken off, their hair cut, and their beards shaved. Rahul Gandhi doesn’t mention this happened when Congress was in power,” Singh stated. He further dared Gandhi to “repeat in India what he is saying about Sikhs” and vowed to drag him to court if he does.
Gandhi, currently on a tour in the U.S., made comments in Virginia that the fight he is involved in is not merely political but concerns religious freedoms, specifically referencing whether Sikhs can wear turbans and practice their faith freely in India. “The fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India, or go to a Gurdwara,” Gandhi said, highlighting concerns for religious minorities in the country.
Criticism from BJP Leaders
Several BJP leaders have condemned Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of maligning India’s image abroad. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized Gandhi for attacking the country on foreign soil, something he claims BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee never did during their time in opposition. “Rahul Gandhi’s continuous attempts to tarnish India’s image are equivalent to treason,” Chouhan remarked, accusing Gandhi of harboring anti-BJP, anti-RSS, and anti-Modi sentiments following repeated electoral defeats.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also joined the criticism, alleging that the Congress party is fearful of being exposed for its alleged lies. He claimed that Congress is in turmoil and fearful due to internal issues, including controversies surrounding party members.
Tensions Rise Amid Ongoing U.S. Tour
Gandhi’s comments in the U.S. have ignited heated responses from political leaders in India, further polarizing the political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. His assertions on religious freedoms, coupled with accusations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being “psychologically trapped” since the 2019 Lok Sabha results, have intensified the ongoing political debate.
As tensions between Congress and the BJP continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the legal challenge from RP Singh will unfold if Gandhi reiterates his comments upon his return to India.
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