Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday slammed Rahul Gandhi for his comments on alleged problems being faced by Indian Sikhs, saying he speaks out of ignorance or lack of knowledge.
“When he speaks on such topics, it seems like he is trying to set a new, rather dangerous narrative on those things,” he said while addressing a press conference here at party headquarters in New Delhi.
Puri’s remarks came after Gandhi, who is on a US visit, commented that Sikhs are facing troubles in wearing ‘Turban’ and ‘Kada’ in the country.
Puri also accused the Congress of carrying out a “Pogrom” in 1984 against the Sikh community where 3,000 innocent people were killed.
Gandhi’s remarks have come under sharp criticism by the BJP which accused him of “insulting India abroad”.
“When Rahul Gandhi was not the Leader of Opposition, he was never strong with his words. He speaks out of ignorance or lack of knowledge. There are some sensitive issues, which involve our national identity, unity, and strength in the unity in diversity,” he added.
“When he speaks on such topics, it seems like he is trying to set a new, rather dangerous narrative on those things…He says that Sikhs are facing troubles in wearing ‘Turban’ and ‘Kada’ in the country. But I am extremely proud of the fact that this government has gone out of its way to address the issues and concerns of the Sikh community,” Puri alleged.
“I don’t think Sikhs have felt safer and more honoured than any time in our history after 1947,” he added .
