BJP slams Rahul over 'Sikh anxiety' remarks in US

The BJP on Tuesday condemned leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi for "perpetrating a false narrative about Indian Sikhs being prevented from wearing a turban and a kara" and said the only time the minority community ever felt anxious or insecure was when his family was in power and a pogrom was unleashed on Sikhs in 1984.

Union minister Hardeep Puri slammed Gandhi who while speaking at an event in Virginia, the US, said, "The fight in India is about Sikhs going to be allowed to wear a turban or not ...whether they can wear a kara or go to a gurdwara."

Gandhi made his remarks in context of religious freedom in India.

Puri while terming the narrative "dangerous and false" said Gandhi needed to introspect.

"Rahul has never measured his words. A simplistic understanding of his statements is he speaks out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. But some sensitive issues involve our national identity, our unity, the strength of our unity in diversity. When he comments on these issues I think he attempts to set a dangerous narrative," Puri said questioning Gandhi for whipping up an "imaginary anxiety among Sikhs."

"Out of the blue Rahul says Sikh community in India has a certain anxiety about tying and wearing a turban and sporting a kada. I have been wearing a turban for over six decades and a Kara for much longer. I am a proud Sikh and extremely proud of the fact that this government has gone out of its way to address issues of concern the Sikh community. I don't think Sikhs have felt safer and more honoured than any time after 1947. And if there has been one time in our history as a community where we have felt a sense of insecurity and an existential threat it has been at times when Rahul Gandhi's family was in power. In 1984 a pogrom was carried out against the Sikhs. Nearly 3000 people were killed. People were dragged out of homes and tyres were put around them and they were burnt alive. These are all documented cases and charge sheets have been filed against those people and wheels of justice have taken a long time to grind," said the minister.

He said at least in India the only time Sikhs have felt a certain anxiety, insecurity and faced an existential crisis is when statements were made -- When a big tree falls earth shakes (late Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul's father comments when Indira Gandhi was assassinated).

"This is as close a justification to target the minority community as I have seen in my entire life," Puri said as Gandhi sparked another row with his off shore comments.

Puri blamed Rahul's advisor Sam Pitroda, chief of Overseas Congress, for these "aberrations" and noted, "Pitroda said Rahul is no longer Pappu. But frankly Pappu or Gappu, I don't care."