I'll drag him to court: BJP leader threatens Rahul Gandhi over Sikh remark

New Delhi: BJP spokesperson RP Singh has issued a stern warning to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, challenging him to repeat his controversial comments about Sikhs in India. Singh vowed to take legal action and "drag him to court" if Gandhi reiterates these statements in the country.

Singh referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, during which over 3,000 Sikhs were killed under the Congress party's rule. “Three thousand Sikhs were massacred in Delhi; their turbans were taken off, their hair chopped, and their beards shaved. He (Rahul Gandhi) doesn’t mention this happened while Congress was in power,” Singh declared. “I challenge him to repeat those remarks here in India, and I will file a case against him.”

Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Sikh rights

Rahul Gandhi, currently on a tour of the United States, made the controversial remarks during a speech in Virginia. He stated that the political struggle he is engaged in goes beyond typical party politics and touches upon fundamental religious freedoms for Sikhs in India.

"The fight is about whether Sikhs will be allowed to wear their turbans, their kada, and practice their faith in India. It’s not just for Sikhs but for all religions," Gandhi explained. He emphasized that the core issue at hand was safeguarding religious identity and freedom, not merely political maneuvering.

BJP leaders condemn Gandhi's statements

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi’s comments, accusing him of tarnishing India's image on foreign soil. Chouhan compared Gandhi’s behavior to that of former opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who he claimed never criticized India while abroad.

“Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, holds a responsible position. I want to remind him that Vajpayee never tried to defame India in foreign lands. Rahul’s anti-BJP, anti-RSS, and anti-Modi sentiments are clouding his judgment,” Chouhan said. He further added that Gandhi's comments are equivalent to "treason," accusing him of attempting to malign the nation’s image out of political frustration.

Congress accused of fear and propaganda

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari added to the growing backlash, asserting that the Congress party is gripped by fear, particularly after their multiple electoral defeats. He alleged that Congress is more focused on protecting individuals with dubious records than addressing its internal issues.

"Today, the Congress party is frightened, knowing that their web of lies is unraveling. They were defeated in 2014, again in 2019, and they are bracing for another defeat in 2024," Bhandari remarked. He further criticized Congress for failing to unite with the people of India, despite their Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign.