'In 1984, a pogrom was carried out ... ': BJP's sharp retort to Rahul Gandhi's remark on 'Sikhs'

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi's comments about Sikhs during his visit to the United States, and accused the Congress leader of promoting a dangerous narrative while abroad.
Addressing a press conference, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the Modi government has gone out of its way to safeguard the community's interest.
"Out of the blue, he says that the Sikh community in Bharat has a certain anxiety that they cannot tie a turban. I have been wearing a turban for 60 years. This government has gone out of its way to safeguard the interests of Sikhs, and I don't think that is the case. I don't believe Sikhs have felt safer and more honored than at any time in our history after 1947. If there has been a time in our history when we have felt anxiety, a sense of insecurity, and even an existential threat, it has been when Rahul Gandhi’s family has been in positions of power," Puri said.
"In 1984, a pogrom was carried out against the Sikh community. 3,000 innocent people were killed; people were dragged out of their homes, and tires were put around them and they were burned alive," he added.
Earlier today in Virginia, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha 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 Gurdwara.
"First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? 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 allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," Rahul said.
BJP leader RP Singh vehemently condemned Rahul Gandhi's statements, reminding him of the 1984 Sikh massacre in Delhi, which occurred under Congress rule.
Singh challenged Gandhi to repeat his comments about Sikhs in India, threatening to file a case against him and take him to court if he did so.
Rahul Gandhi, currently on a visit to the United States, arrived in Dallas on Sunday. During his trip, he engaged with students and faculty at the University of Texas and addressed members of the Indian diaspora in both Dallas and Virginia.
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