'Fight In India Is Whether A Sikh Will Be Allowed To Wear A Turban, Kada': Rahul Gandhi Sparks Row

Virginia: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has sparked yet another row with his statement on the rights of Sikhs and said that the “fight is about whether a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurudwara”.

During his Virginia visit, the Congress leader said, "The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India. Whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada in India or will be able to go to the gurudwara. That's what the fight is about, and it is not just for Sikhs, it is for all religions."

During his remarks, Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ), claiming that the "fear" of PM Modi among the public had dissipated following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results.

"Something has changed after the elections. PM Modi tried to create an environment of fear. Various agencies, media, income tax department tried to spread fear, even among small and medium-sized businesses. But, nothing worked. The fear vanished in one second," he added.

He further claimed that the influence PM Modi once had, which he described as "the idea of PM Modi, 56-inch chest, direct connection with God," had diminished significantly. He said, “The spread of fear took years and consumed a lot of money, but it vanished. You can see it in parliament right upfront... And I can tell you that the idea of PM Modi, 56 inch chest, direct connection with God. That's all gone. It's history now. He, his partners in government and India, the three or four senior ministers in his government realise it.”

Gandhi is currently on a visit to the United States, where he has been interacting with students, teachers, and the Indian diaspora in cities like Dallas and Virginia.

BJP Leaders React Sharply

Gandhi's remarks have been met with sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused him of distorting the situation in India and disrespecting the nation's image abroad. Union Minister Giriraj Singh slammed Gandhi and said, " Congress , after independence, killed Sikhs, now they are trying to preach. People who don't know much talk a lot to show off, like Rahul Gandhi . He lost for the third time, and yet can talk like this. Answering them is going below the belt."

BJP leader RP Singh also condemned Gandhi's comments, challenging him to repeat his statements in India. "Three thousand Sikhs were massacred in Delhi; their turbans were taken off, their hair was chopped off, and beard was shaved. He doesn’t say that this happened when Congress was in power. I challenge Rahul Gandhi to repeat in India what he is saying about Sikhs, and then I will file a case against him and drag him to court."

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized Gandhi for tarnishing India's image on foreign soil. Drawing a comparison with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, " Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and the position of LoP is a responsible position. I want to remind Rahul Gandhi that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the LoP, in a foreign land, he never tried to malign the image of the country."

Chouhan further accused Gandhi of harboring anti- BJP , anti-RSS, and anti-Modi sentiments, and claimed that Gandhi's actions amounted to a "constant effort to malign the image of the country."

Other BJP Leaders Weigh In

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal added to the criticism by asserting that Gandhi’s claims about fear in the country were baseless. "Who gets scared? Only those who are involved in corruption, scams, and misusing the resources of the country get scared. But there is not even one person in the country who can say that he is scared of PM Narendra Modi ."

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari echoed these sentiments, arguing that the Congress party itself is engulfed in fear. "The Congress party is scared that their propaganda of lies stands exposed," he said, referring to Gandhi’s remarks as a ploy to distract from the party’s internal issues.

Bhandari also alleged that Gandhi has a history of supporting narratives harmful to India. " Rahul Gandhi enjoys it when India is harmed. Therefore, he goes out and bats for China and lies about India."

As the political confrontation unfolds, Gandhi's remarks on the rights of Sikhs have become a flashpoint for wider debates about religious freedoms, national image, and political responsibility in India.