Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticised the Congress leader for making outlandish statements while abroad. (PTI file photos)
Puri also expressed concern that Gandhi’s comments might be interpreted as aligning with “fringe elements in the US”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday condemned Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments about the Sikh community in the US, calling them “irresponsible” and demanding an explanation from Gandhi.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Puri asserted that he has never encountered any issues faced by Sikhs in India or abroad. “Rahul Gandhi needs to be asked where he is getting these ideas from,” he questioned.
The senior BJP leader criticised the Congress leader for making “outlandish statements” while abroad and highlighted a dark chapter in history. “3,000 Sikhs were murdered in cold blood when Rahul Gandhi’s father was in power,” Puri said.
Puri, who is the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, also expressed concern that Gandhi’s comments might be interpreted as aligning with “fringe elements in the US”.
On Monday, while addressing a gathering of Indian Americans in Herndon, Virginia, Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of devaluing certain religions, languages, and communities in India.
“First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. That is superficial,” Gandhi said as he asked one of the Sikh attendees in the front rows to give his name. “What is your name, brother with the turban,” he asked.
“The fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India or a kada in India. Or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to go to a gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about. And not just for him, for all religions,” said Gandhi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, which began September 7.
Earlier today, in a press conference, Puri described Gandhi’s remarks as “sinister,” accusing him of spreading falsehoods among Sikhs living abroad who may not have strong ties to India. “I condemn in the strongest terms the statement he has made about Sikhs not being able to wear turbans and kadas,” the BJP leader from the Sikh community said.
Referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that happened during the Congress’ rule, Puri said, “If there has been one time in our history when as a community we have felt anxiety, a sense of insecurity and existential threat, it has been the times when Rahul Gandhi’s family has been in the seats of power.”
“In 1984, a pogrom was carried out against the Sikh community. As many as 3,000 innocent people were killed. People were dragged out of their homes, tyres were put around them and burnt alive,” he said.
That was the only time in history when Sikhs faced a problem for their turbans as they faced an existential threat after Rajiv Gandhi’s statement that when a big tree falls, the earth shakes, Puri stated.
(With inputs from PTI)