'BJP spreading lies...': Rahul defends his remarks on Sikhs
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has defended his recent comments about the Sikh community in the United States, which drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a social media post, Gandhi accused the BJP of distorting his words to create a false narrative. He shared a clip from his September 10 address and asked, "Shouldn't India be a country where every Sikh—and every Indian—can freely practice their religion without fear?"
Gandhi accuses BJP of desperation, defends his remarks
Gandhi further stated that the BJP was desperate to silence him because they could not confront the truth. "As usual, the BJP is resorting to lies. They are desperate to silence me because they cannot stand the truth," he said in his post. "But I will always speak up for the values that define India: our unity in diversity, equality, and love," he added.
What Gandhi said in his speech
During his address to Indian Americans in Herndon, Virginia, Gandhi highlighted the challenges faced by minority communities in India. He accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological backbone of the BJP, of promoting a vision of India where certain religions, languages and communities are considered inferior. "The fight is not about politics...The fight is about whether he (pointing to a Sikh man) will be allowed to wear his turban, his kada and go to gurdwara in India," he said.
Read Gandhi's post here
BJP leaders criticize Gandhi's remarks on Sikhs
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was among the first to criticize Gandhi's remarks, calling them "sinister" and accusing him of spreading falsehoods about the treatment of Sikhs in India. Puri suggested that Gandhi was manipulating the emotions of the Sikh diaspora, many of whom he claimed were out of touch with realities in India. "Rahul Gandhi was trying to spread a false narrative while speaking in front of those, who belong to my community," said Puri.
Defense Minister expresses disappointment over Gandhi's remarks
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed disappointment over Gandhi's remarks, accusing him of tarnishing India's image globally. "It is extremely shameful that the Leader of Opposition is hurting the dignity of India by saying misleading, baseless and factless things during his foreign tour," Singh said. He categorically denied Gandhi's claims that Sikhs in India were being prevented from practicing their faith.
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticizes Gandhi's remarks
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also criticized Gandhi's remarks, accusing him of dividing the country for power. "A few people are being used, fringe groups are being instigated—the kind of things Rahul Gandhi speaks about the country when he goes abroad, people know it," she said in an interview with ANI. "What he feels about the country is not hidden from anyone. He doesn't even hesitate to divide the country to get into power," she added.
