The banned Khalistan terror group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has expressed support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks regarding the religious freedom of the Sikh community in India. SFJ, known for its controversial demand for a Khalistan, endorsed Gandhi’s statements during his visit to the United States, which they interpreted as aligning with their agenda.
During an event in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of Indian Americans, where he highlighted what he termed as the “fight for religious freedom” in India. Gandhi, referring to the rights of the Sikh community, stated, “The fight in India is whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban and kada, or go to a gurdwara.” This remark drew immediate attention from SFJ, with the group’s co-founder, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, releasing a statement in support of Gandhi’s words.
In his statement, Khalistani terrorist Pannun described Gandhi’s comments as “bold and pioneering,” arguing that they validate SFJ’s global Khalistan Referendum campaign. “Rahul’s statement on ‘existential threat to Sikhs in India’ is not only bold and pioneering but is also firmly grounded in the factual history of what Sikhs have been facing under successive regimes in India since 1947,” Pannun said. He further asserted that Gandhi’s remarks corroborate SFJ’s stance on the justification for the Punjab Independence Referendum to establish a Sikh homeland, Khalistan.
During his speech, Rahul Gandhi went on to accuse the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of treating certain religions, languages, and communities as inferior, contrary to reality. He emphasised that the fight in India extends beyond political lines to the core issue of individual rights to freely practice their religion.
Addressing a Sikh attendee directly, he asked, “What is your name, brother with the turban?” and continued, “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.”
Gandhi also spoke about the broader cultural and linguistic diversity of India, highlighting the presence of people from various states like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. Reflecting on his connection to Kerala, where he serves as a Member of Parliament, he remarked, “Kerala is a simple word, and Punjab is a simple word, but these are not simple words. This is your history, your language, your tradition. Your entire imagination is in these words.”
The Congress leader is currently on a four-day visit to the United States. His first stop was in Dallas on Saturday, followed by his arrival in Washington DC on Monday. His remarks, particularly those regarding the Sikh community, have sparked varied reactions, with SFJ’s endorsement drawing significant political attention back in India.
The endorsement from SFJ, an organisation banned in India and recognised for its secessionist agenda, adds a controversial dimension to Gandhi’s statements, potentially impacting his political standing amid ongoing debates on nationalism in India.
