BJP leader's warning after Rahul's remark on Sikhs in India
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson RP Singh on Tuesday hit out at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his comments on religious freedom in which he mentioned the Sikh community, during this three-day United States tour.
Singh said he would have pursued legal action if Gandhi made any comments about Sikhs while in India.
The BJP leader added that 3000 Sikhs were killed during the 1984 riots in Delhi under the Congress's rule but Gandhi does not talk about that.
Historical context
Singh recalls 1984 anti-Sikh riots under Congress rule
"3000 Sikhs were massacred in Delhi; their turbans were taken off, their hair was chopped off and beard was shaved...He (Rahul Gandhi) doesn't say that this happened when they (Congress) were in power," Singh said.
"I challenge Rahul Gandhi to repeat in India what he is saying about Sikhs, and then I will file a case against him and will drag him to court," he added.
Remarks criticized
What Gandhi said
During an interaction in Virginia, Gandhi had said, "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial."
"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...That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," he added.
Political backlash
Union Minister criticizes Gandhi for remarks
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also joined the chorus of criticism against Gandhi, accusing him of trying to "malign the image of the country."
"Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and the position of LoP is a responsible position. I want to remind Rahul Gandhi that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the LoP, in a foreign land, he never tried to malign the image of the country," Chouhan said.
RSS attack
Gandhi's comments under fire from BJP
During his US trip, the Congress leader has engaged in multiple interactions, addressing various issues.
His comments have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, accusing him of disrespecting India on foreign soil.
Earlier, speaking in Texas, Gandhi had targeted the BJP's ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), stating that the RSS views India as a singular idea, while the Congress sees it as a collection of ideas. "That's the real fight," he added.