India
‘In 1984, a programme was conducted…’: BJP’s sharp reaction to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Sikhs’ remark | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday slammed Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Sikhs during his visit to the United States, accusing the Congress leader of spreading a dangerous narrative abroad.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the Modi government has made every effort to protect the interests of the community.
“Out of the blue, he says that the Sikh community in Bharat has a certain fear that they cannot wear a turban. I have been wearing a turban for the last 60 years. This government has done everything to protect the interests of Sikhs and I don’t think that is the case. I don’t think Sikhs have felt more secure and more honoured than at any time in our history after 1947. If there has been a time in our history when we have felt fear, a sense of insecurity and even an existential threat, it is when Rahul Gandhi’s family was in positions of power,” Puri said.
“In 1984, a programme was carried out against the Sikh community. 3,000 innocent people were killed, people were dragged out of their homes, tyres were put around them and they were burnt alive,” he added.
Earlier today in Virginia, the leader of the opposition said in Lok Sabha said the fight is over whether a Sikh in India can wear a turban and visit a Gurdwara.
“First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether… he, as a Sikh, can wear his turban in India. Whether he, as a Sikh, can wear a kada in India. Whether a Sikh can go to the Gurdwara. That is what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions,” Rahul said.
Leader of the BJP R.P. Singh strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi’s statements and reminded him of the 1984 Delhi massacre of Sikhs that took place under Congress rule.
Singh challenged Gandhi to repeat his remarks about the Sikhs in India, threatening to take legal action against him and take him to court if he did so.
Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a visit to the United States, arrived in Dallas on Sunday. During his trip, he spoke to students and faculty from the University of Texas and met with members of the Indian diaspora in both Dallas and Virginia.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the Modi government has made every effort to protect the interests of the community.
“Out of the blue, he says that the Sikh community in Bharat has a certain fear that they cannot wear a turban. I have been wearing a turban for the last 60 years. This government has done everything to protect the interests of Sikhs and I don’t think that is the case. I don’t think Sikhs have felt more secure and more honoured than at any time in our history after 1947. If there has been a time in our history when we have felt fear, a sense of insecurity and even an existential threat, it is when Rahul Gandhi’s family was in positions of power,” Puri said.
“In 1984, a programme was carried out against the Sikh community. 3,000 innocent people were killed, people were dragged out of their homes, tyres were put around them and they were burnt alive,” he added.
Earlier today in Virginia, the leader of the opposition said in Lok Sabha said the fight is over whether a Sikh in India can wear a turban and visit a Gurdwara.
“First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether… he, as a Sikh, can wear his turban in India. Whether he, as a Sikh, can wear a kada in India. Whether a Sikh can go to the Gurdwara. That is what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions,” Rahul said.
Leader of the BJP R.P. Singh strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi’s statements and reminded him of the 1984 Delhi massacre of Sikhs that took place under Congress rule.
Singh challenged Gandhi to repeat his remarks about the Sikhs in India, threatening to take legal action against him and take him to court if he did so.
Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a visit to the United States, arrived in Dallas on Sunday. During his trip, he spoke to students and faculty from the University of Texas and met with members of the Indian diaspora in both Dallas and Virginia.
