On Monday, 9th September, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently touring the United States, stirred up a fresh controversy at an event with a comment about the condition of the Sikh community in India.
Addressing the Indian community in Virginia, Rahul Gandhi said, "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. Fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? 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."
Now, Sikhs for Justice Chief & terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has come out in support of the Congress leader’s stance.
Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?
Pannun was born and brought up in Khankot village on the outskirts of Amritsar, Punjab, India. He went to school in Ludhiana and then on to Panjab University in Chandigarh in the early 1990s to study law. He describes himself as a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is often seen at pro-Khalistan functions and gatherings. He is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, which India labelled an "unlawful association" in 2019, citing its involvement in extremist activities. Pannun was listed as an "individual terrorist" by India in 2020.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's reaction on Rahul Gandhi's remarks
Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has said in a statement that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has justified the Sikhs for Justice's Khalistani referendum campaign by saying on his US visit, "Fight in India is on whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban and kada, go to gurudwara."
“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 and also corroborates SFJ’s stance on the justification for the Punjab Independence Referendum to establish Sikh homeland Khalistan,” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a statement.
The BJP came down heavily on Gandhi over his remarks, saying the Congress leader is trying to create a "dangerous narrative" by speaking on "sensitive issues" abroad.
“Rahul’s language is quite similar to the fugitive from our law who lives in New York, Pannun….is he meeting him?” said Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.