Rahul Gandhi and BJP Leaders Clash Over Remarks on Sikhs
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], September 21: After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defended his remarks on Sikhs and other sections of Indian society in the US, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla accused him of justifying his statements instead of apologizing. Poonawalla said, “Chori aur upar se seenazori. This is what Rahul Gandhi does. Instead of apologizing for his remarks, when the entire Sikh community has been reacting to his remarks in the US and expressing outrage, Rahul Gandhi is brazenly defending his remarks and justifying it.”
Poonawalla further claimed that no Sikh community supports Rahul Gandhi and that his support comes from the banned ‘seek for justice’ group. He criticized Gandhi for not condemning the support from Pannun and accused him of hypocrisy and trying to divide and rule.
Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur also criticized Gandhi, saying he only gets support from anti-India forces. Thakur said, “The language of Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and Pakistan’s Defence Minister is the same. Their intentions look similar as well which is anti-India. He gets the support of ‘tukde-tukde gang’, gets them in their party and meets anti-India forces when go abroad.”
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi defended his remarks made in the US, accusing the BJP of lying and trying to silence him. He said, “I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad: Is there anything wrong with what I have said? Shouldn’t India be a country where every Sikh–and every Indian–can freely practice their religion without fear?”
Gandhi added, “As usual, the BJP is resorting to lies. They are desperate to silence me because they cannot stand the truth. But I will always speak up for the values that define India: our unity in diversity, equality, and love.”
A war of words has erupted between Congress and BJP leaders over Gandhi’s remarks. Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu called Gandhi the “country’s number 1 terrorist,” which drew strong condemnation from Congress. Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi announced that the party would take legal action against those using threatening language against Gandhi.
Doubts Revealed
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a leader of the Congress party in India. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Congress party.
Sikhs -: Sikhs are people who follow Sikhism, a religion that originated in Punjab, India. They are known for their distinct turbans and beards.
Congress -: Congress is a major political party in India, officially known as the Indian National Congress. It has been one of the oldest and most influential parties in the country.
Shehzad Poonawalla -: Shehzad Poonawalla is a leader of the BJP. He often speaks on behalf of the party and criticizes the Congress party.
Anurag Thakur -: Anurag Thakur is a former Union Minister in India. He is also a member of the BJP and has held various important positions in the government.
anti-India forces -: Anti-India forces refer to groups or individuals who are seen as opposing or harming India’s interests. This term is often used in political debates.
legal action -: Legal action means taking steps through the court system to address a wrong or enforce a right. In this context, it means Congress might go to court because of the threatening language used against Rahul Gandhi.
