On September 10, Khalistani terrorist and founder of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, publicly expressed support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a visit to the United States. Pannun praised Gandhi’s remarks about Sikhs, made during a public speech in Washington, D.C., calling them “bold and pioneering.” According to Pannun, Gandhi’s comments align with SFJ’s narrative on the challenges faced by Sikhs since 1947 and their justification for the Punjab Independence Referendum, which aims to establish Khalistan.
Pannun’s statement read, “Rahul Gandhi echoes SFJ’s position on Khalistan,” referring to Gandhi’s remarks during an event where several pro-Khalistan supporters were present. He claimed that Gandhi had justified SFJ’s global Khalistan Referendum campaign when he spoke about the existential threat Sikhs face in India. Pannun added that Gandhi’s words reflected the historical difficulties Sikhs have faced under successive Indian governments.
During his address in Washington, Gandhi pointed to a Sikh attendee and suggested that the fight in India is about whether Sikhs can wear their religious symbols, such as the turban and kara, and practice their faith freely by visiting gurdwaras. He extended this argument to all religions, stating that the battle is for the preservation of religious traditions and regional identities, which he claims are under attack from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Gandhi’s comments on the Sikh community drew sharp criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri accused the Congress leader of spreading a dangerous narrative on foreign soil. He highlighted the Modi government’s efforts to address the concerns of the Sikh community, asserting that Sikhs in India have never been safer. Puri also referenced the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, holding the Congress responsible for the violence and accusing Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy for raising concerns about Sikhs while his party shielded those responsible for the pogrom.
Puri further criticized Gandhi on social media, calling his statements about Sikhs’ freedom to wear religious symbols in India “delusional and absurd.” He reminded people that it was under Congress’s rule that Sikhs were subjected to violence and discrimination, particularly during the 1984 riots. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reopening cases related to the violence and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Gandhi’s remarks, questioning his commitment to the Constitution. He pointed out that Gandhi’s comments in America, including those about reservations, revealed his deep-seated biases.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Khalistani separatist, has long been involved in promoting anti-India activities. He holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada and presents himself as an advocate for Sikh rights. Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his involvement in violent activities and promoting secessionist ideas through his organization Sikhs For Justice, which has also been declared a terrorist outfit in India.
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