BJP Leader Puri Responds to Rahul Gandhi’s Turban and Gurdwara Remarks

New Delhi, 10th September 2024: On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) harshly criticized Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about Sikhs made during his visit to the United States. The BJP accused the Congress leader of advancing a harmful narrative while abroad.

At a press conference, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri defended the Modi government’s efforts to protect Sikh interests. “He claims that Sikhs in India face issues with wearing turbans. I have worn a turban for 60 years. This government has gone to great lengths to support the Sikh community, and I believe Sikhs have never felt more secure and respected since 1947. The real anxiety and threat to Sikhs occurred during the times when Rahul Gandhi’s family was in power,” Puri stated.

Puri also recalled the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, asserting that 3,000 innocent people were killed in brutal attacks. “In 1984, innocent Sikhs were dragged from their homes, and burned alive. This was a tragic chapter under Congress rule,” he added.

Earlier in Virginia, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, had commented on the Sikh community’s struggles, emphasizing that the core issue was whether Sikhs could wear turbans and visit Gurdwaras in India. “The real issue is whether Sikhs can freely practice their religion in India, including wearing a turban or kada, and visiting Gurdwaras,” Gandhi said.

BJP leader RP Singh condemned Gandhi’s statements, reminding him of the 1984 Sikh massacre under Congress rule. Singh challenged Gandhi to repeat his remarks in India, threatening legal action if he did so.

Rahul Gandhi, who arrived in Dallas on Sunday, has been engaging with students and faculty at the University of Texas and addressing the Indian diaspora in both Dallas and Virginia during his U.S. visit.