Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in the United States, questioning whether Sikhs will be able to wear their turban and ‘kada’ or visit Gurdwaras under the BJP-led regime, are at odds with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonstrated respect for Sikh culture. Modi has been seen wearing a Sikh turban during his visit to Takhat Sri Harminder Ji Patna Sahib in Bihar in May and has actively participated in Sikh customs, including cooking and serving Langar. During election rallies in Punjab, Modi was also seen sporting a Sikh turban.
Two years ago, Modi hosted a Sikh delegation at his residence and wore a Sikh cadet turban at a National Cadet Corps rally in Delhi. In 2019, he visited Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur wearing a Sikh turban. The BJP highlights Modi’s landmark initiatives such as declaring December 26 as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to honor Guru Gobind Singh’s sons and the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor as evidence of his respect for Sikh traditions.
Gandhi’s comments have drawn criticism from BJP leaders, who argue that these statements aim to create divisions. They note that during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots under Congress rule, Sikhs were forced to remove their turbans, a historical context they use to counter Gandhi’s claims. BJP leaders also see a pattern in Gandhi’s comments, recalling similar criticisms he made while speaking at Cambridge University, where he claimed that Modi considers Sikh individuals as “second-class citizens” in India.
