Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a visit to the United States, has faced a barrage of attacks from rivals back home over his remarks about the condition of India’s Sikh community that have also been endorsed by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Now, government sources say, it has emerged that some pro-Khalistani elements were present at Gandhi’s Tuesday event in Virginia.
“Baba Makhan Shah Gurdwara, Richmond Hill, representatives also attended his meeting,” said a source. “This gurdwara is known for its support of all anti-India protests. Last year, this gurdwara’s representatives protested at Times Square against the Indian government arresting separatist Amritpal Singh. They took out a car rally from Baba Makhan Shah Gurdwara to Times Square in New York. The same group raised anti-India slogans and billboards at Times Square were also used for the same purpose.”
The sources said that the gurdwara also organised an event to support and congratulate protesters after the Narendra Modi government rolled back three controversial farm laws.
While interacting with members of the Indian diaspora at an event in Virginia, Rahul Gandhi said that the fight in India is about whether a Sikh person would be allowed to wear a kada and go to a gurdwara or not. His comments have sparked a political slugfest in India, with BJP leaders saying that the Lok Sabha leader of opposition has defamed India on foreign land.
“First of all, you have to understand the fight is not about politics. The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether, he, as a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether he, as a Sikh, is allowed to go to a gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religions,” the Congress leader had said.
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