Rahul Gandhi Faces Pressure Over Sikh Remarks

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has faced backlash from the BJP and Sikh organizations over remarks made during his recent visit to the U.S., where he questioned whether Sikhs face restrictions on wearing turbans and visiting gurdwaras in India. The BJP, citing a joint statement from several Sikh groups, has demanded he retract his comments, claiming they incite fear and misrepresent the Sikh community's situation. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that Gandhi's statements echo divisive rhetoric reminiscent of tensions leading to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, urging him to respect Sikh sentiments. In response, Gandhi defended his position, stating that the BJP's attempts to silence him are rooted in their inability to confront the truth about religious freedom in India. Sikh delegations have formally petitioned the government to address what they describe as 'hurtful' remarks, calling for a retraction. The political discourse highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious expression and identity within the country.