Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday defended his remarks on Sikhs and other sections of the Indian society made during his visit to the United States earlier this month. Accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “spreading lies” over his comments, he said attempts are being made to silence him.
The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said he would continue to speak up for the values that define India.
“I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad - is there anything wrong in what I have said? Shouldn't India be a country where every Sikh - and every Indian - can freely practice their religion without fear?” he asked in a post on X.
“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,” Gandhi added further.
The BJP has been spreading lies about my remarks in America.I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad - is there anything wrong in what I have said? Shouldn't India be a country where every Sikh - and every Indian - can freely practice their religion pic.twitter.com/sxNdMavR1XRahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 21, 2024
The Congress leader also posted a clip of the speech he made in the US.
"First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics, that is superficial. What is your name, brother? --- Balinder Singh. The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India, or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to wear a kada in India or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to go to the Gurudwara. That's what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religions," the Congress leader could be heard saying in the video.
Earlier today, the BJP cited a joint statement of several Sikh groups to ask Gandhi to withdraw his statement, which has allegedly created an atmosphere of fear in the country.
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