Rajasthan CM Sharma Criticizes Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks on Religious Freedom

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his comments on religious freedom in India made during his US visit. Sharma accused Gandhi of tarnishing India's image and lacking understanding of Indian society. Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned Gandhi's statements.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks made in the United States concerning the Sikh community. Sharma stated that Gandhi's comments on religious freedom in India have damaged the nation's dignity. 'Rahul Gandhi ji, why do you repeatedly try to tarnish India's image by going abroad? Your statement on the religious freedom of Indian minorities during your US visit has hurt the dignity of the country. Have you forgotten what was the role of Congress in the gruesome riots against Sikhs in 1984?' Sharma posted on social media platform X.

Sharma further criticized the Congress leader for his remarks on the reservation system, accusing Gandhi of lacking a deeper understanding of Indian society. 'Not only this, you have also made comments on the reservation system, which have been made without any deep understanding of Indian society. Is this just an attempt to show off your intelligence to foreign audiences? This type of rhetoric not only weakens our unity but also tarnishes India's image on foreign forums. Instead of showing yourself as intelligent, you should prioritize the country's interest and work to increase India's respect on international forums, not to fulfill your political agenda,' he stated.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned Gandhi's comments, accusing him of having an 'anti-national' stance. 'Speaking anti-national things and standing with forces that break the country has become a habit of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Whether it is supporting the anti-national and anti-reservation agenda of JKNC in Jammu and Kashmir, or speaking anti-India things on foreign forums, Rahul Gandhi has always hurt the security and sentiments of the country,' Shah posted on X. He added, 'Talking about discrimination from language to language, region to region and religion to religion shows the divisive thinking of Rahul Gandhi. By talking about ending reservation in the country, Rahul Gandhi has once again brought the anti-reservation face of the Congress in front of the country. The thoughts and ideas in the mind always come out through some medium or the other.' During his interaction with the Indian diaspora in the US, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the struggle concerning whether a Sikh can wear a turban and practice their faith freely in India.

'First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions,' Gandhi said.

(With inputs from agencies.)