A lawyer filed a complaint against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making controversial remarks about Sikhs. The complaint has been submitted to the Home Minister, Delhi Police, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), urging them to take action. The lawyer claims Gandhi’s comments have hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. Authorities are yet to respond to the complaint.
New Delhi: A complaint lodged with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Delhi Police Commissioner against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
The complaint, filed by Vineet Jindal, a practicing Supreme Court lawyer, follows Gandhi’s remarks made during his visit to the United States on September 9, regarding “Sikhs.”
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The controversy stems from Gandhi’s statement during the trip, where he commented that the current struggle in India concerns whether a Sikh person can wear a turban, a kada, and visit a Gurdwara freely.
In a self-made video released on Wednesday, lawyer Vineet Jindal criticized Member of Parliament and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his remarks during a visit to the US, accusing him of making “anti-India statements.”
Referring to Gandhi’s comments about Sikhs, Jindal said,
“Rahul Gandhi stated that ‘today the fight in India is whether a Sikh person will be able to wear his turban, kada, and visit Gurdwara.’ In some way or another, Rahul Gandhi tried to provoke the Sikh community.”
He further added,
“There are no reports of Sikhs being prevented from visiting Gurdwaras or wearing turbans, but Rahul Gandhi, for his political gain, is attempting to instigate minorities.”
Jindal also noted that Gandhi has a history of defaming his country rather than focusing on criticizing the central government.
He confirmed that he had formally filed a complaint against Gandhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the NIA, and the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Jindal added,
“I have requested all of them to register a case for making false and inflammatory statements, and I have urged the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s passport. I believe action will soon be taken on my complaint,”
In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NIA Director General Sadanand Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, Vineet Jindal lodged a formal complaint against Rahul Gandhi, who is currently touring the USA.
He stated,
“On September 9, 2024, during an event organized by the Indian Overseas Congress, Mr. Gandhi made a statement that I believe constitutes hate speech aimed at inciting division and hatred within communities for his political gain.”
Jindal further described Gandhi’s remarks as “highly inflammatory” and accused him of intentionally trying to stir hatred among Sikhs against the Indian government and the nation.
Suggesting that the support from such groups points to a larger conspiracy behind Gandhi’s comments Jindal added,
“Given Mr. Gandhi’s position as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, his comments could have a significant impact on internal security and promote communal discord. The situation is worsened by the fact that the banned Khalistani terrorist organization ‘Sikhs for Justice’ has endorsed Mr. Gandhi’s statement, potentially using it to incite hatred within the Sikh community,”
Vineet Jindal further argued that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks appear strategically aimed at fostering animosity towards India and could be interpreted as support for Khalistani extremists.
He warned,
“Such rhetoric is dangerous as it could create communal hostility and jeopardize national security. According to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the police are required to act on instances of hate speech without a formal complaint. However, since no action has been taken regarding Mr. Gandhi’s statements, I am compelled to file this complaint.”
Jindal also requested the filing of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi under Sections 152, 196, 299, and 353 of the BNS, citing Gandhi’s intent to provoke communal hatred and disrupt the Indian government.
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Jindal added,
“I urge that an FIR be lodged against Rahul Gandhi for his statements, and I also request that his passport be revoked and future foreign trips be banned, as these actions tend to occur during his overseas visits. Your attention is needed on this serious matter,”
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli, during an interaction with the Indian diaspora in the US, had remarked,
“First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics; that is superficial. The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India, wear a kada, or visit a Gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religions.”