‘Where Is He Getting These Ideas?’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Irresponsible’ Remarks On Sikhs – News18

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.