Amid the ongoing controversy following Rahul Gandhi's statement on the Sikh community in India during his US visit, the Leader of Opposition on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of "spreading lies" about his remarks to "silence" him. He also asked the Sikhs whether there was anything wrong in what he had said and whether India shouldn't be a nation where every Indian could freely practice their religion without any fear.
The Congress leader's remarks came as the BJP on Saturday asked him to withdraw his statement, citing a joint statement by several Sikh groups.
"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 practise their religion without fear?' Gandhi said in a post on X (formerly X).
He also shared a short clip of his remarks on Sikhs during his US visit.
"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.
The BJP has been spreading lies about my remarks in America.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 21, 2024
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
This comes after Rahul Gandhi's comments sparked a massive political storm with several leaders and ministers lashing out at him for his "sinister" remarks, "spreading falsehood" among Sikhs living abroad, and "defaming" the country.
During his US visit, Gandhi had alleged that the members of the Sikh community might not be permitted to practice their religion freely. "The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether, he, as a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether he, as a Sikh, is allowed to go to a Gurudwara. That’s what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religion," Gandhi had said.
Citing a joint statement of several Sikh groups, the BJP on Saturday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his statement, which allegedly created fear among the community in the country.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa told news agency PTI that several Sikh and gurdwara management bodies met Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai over the issue and asserted the sacrifices made by the Sikhs to make India strong.
Sirsa stated that the Sikh bodies have urged Gandhi to retract his statement as it is damaging them. "Anti-national forces like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has exploited Gandhi's remarks," he said.
"I believe Rahul Gandhi will respect the sentiments of Sikhs and withdraw the statement he made in the US," he added.
Sirsa further recalled how Sikhs were targeted in the early 80s before the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 after Indira Gandhi's assassination as he slammed the Congress. He also alleged that the Congress is "trying to create a similar atmosphere now".
