Rahul Gandhi Visits US, Remark on Sikhs Kicks Up Furore

From 8-10 Sep, INC leader and Leader of Opposition in the Indian Parliament Rahul Gandhi was on a three-day visit to the US. In his various talks and engagements, he was critical of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh – BJP’s parent organization. He spoke on various issues: social and economic inequality, inadequate caste representation and reservations, religious minorities, trade and commerce, and that India is a union of states. He claimed that despite frozen bank accounts through the general elections, INC and allies managed to destroy the culture of fear the BJP had spread in India. On 9 Sep, at an event in Virginia, he asked a Sikh man his name and said, ‘The fight in India is not about politics. It is about whether a Sikh is allowed to wear a turban, a kara (iron bracelet), and is allowed to go to a Gurdwara. This is for all religions.’ Sikhs for Justice legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Pannun as well as Kendri (Central) Sikh Sabha, Chandigarh, endorsed Gandhi’s statement. BJP’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticized Gandhi over the statement on Sikhs. Ravneet Singh Bittu called Gandhi ‘Terrorist No. 1’ for dividing Indian society. BJP’s Sikh supporters protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s home. SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal invoked ‘Operation Blue Star’ and the 1984 Sikh genocide, asking Gandhi and INC to apologize. However, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said, ‘We must pay attention to Gandhi’s statement, especially because Sikhs routinely face discrimination in entrance exams, Sikh police officers are called Khalistani. Sikhs arriving from abroad often have their kirpans (traditional sword) confiscated at Delhi airport.’ Discrimination against Sikhs and other religious minorities is an undisputed fact in India. In this case, the BJP did what it does best: distract attention from the core issue.