New Delhi: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent figure in the banned Khalistan terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has voiced his support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhis recent remarks regarding the religious rights of the Sikh community in India. Gandhis comments, made during an event in Washington, DC, have drawn attention both in India and abroad.Gandhis remarks on Sikh identityWhile addressing Indian Americans, Rahul Gandhi said, “The fight in India is whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban and kada or go to a gurdwara.” These remarks highlight the ongoing struggle for religious freedom that he believes Sikhs and other communities face under current regimes in India. His comments have since been widely circulated, catching the attention of Pannun and his Khalistan movement.Pannuns endorsement of Gandhis viewsIn response to Gandhis statement, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the co-founder of SFJ, released a public endorsement. Pannun praised Gandhis remarks, calling them bold and pioneering. He said, “Rahuls statement on existential threat to Sikhs in India is not only bold and pioneering but is also firmly grounded in the factual history of what Sikhs have faced under successive Indian regimes since 1947.” Pannun further argued that Gandhis words validate SFJs ongoing global campaign for a Khalistan referendum, which aims to create an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab.Echoes of historical tensionsPannun linked Gandhis comments to SFJs long-standing narrative that the Sikh community has faced oppression and discrimination in India since its independence. He used this endorsement to further bolster his argument for a referendum on Khalistan. This controversial statement adds to the ongoing debate about religious and cultural rights in India, particularly for minority communities.Criticism of the RSSRahul Gandhi, in his Washington address, also targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing the organization of promoting a hierarchy that places certain religions, languages, and communities above others. He emphasized that the struggle in India is not limited to political power but extends to the broader fight for individuals to freely express and practice their religious and cultural identities. He pointed to a Sikh attendee and said, What is your name, brother with the turban, using the moment to underline his broader point about the freedom of religious practice in India.Gandhis broader messageGandhi expanded on this theme by highlighting the rich diversity of India, referencing people from various states such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Kerala, and Karnataka in his audience. He emphasized that the names of these regions are not just words but carry deep historical, cultural, and linguistic significance for those who identify with them. His remarks aimed to resonate with the Indian diaspora, portraying the ongoing struggle for identity and rights as a national concern that transcends regional or religious boundaries.Rahul Gandhi is currently on a four-day visit to the United States, with his first stop in Dallas and his most recent appearance in Washington, DC.
