FIRs Filed Against Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh for Alleged Remarks on Sikh Community
Raipur: Three FIRs have been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in various parts of Chhattisgarh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community through remarks made during his recent visit to the United States, police officials reported on Friday.
The first two cases were filed on Thursday at the Civil Lines police station in Raipur and the Bilaspur Civil Lines police station in Bilaspur district, while an additional FIR was lodged on Friday at the Kotwali police station in Durg district.
These cases were initiated based on complaints from BJP leaders, with similar grievances also reported at police stations in other districts. The FIRs charge Gandhi under sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious beliefs and to intentionally hurt religious feelings.
State BJP spokesperson Amarjeet Singh Chhabra, in his complaint filed in Raipur, stated that Gandhi questioned whether Sikhs could wear a turban or ‘kada’ when visiting Gurdwaras in India. Chhabra asserted that Gandhi’s comments have offended the Sikh community, which is permitted to wear such symbols in India and worldwide, including by prominent figures like the Prime Minister.
The Durg Kotwali police station complaint was lodged by BJP Durg district unit chief Jitendra Verma, with further complaints from BJP leaders in districts including Durg and Surguja.
Gandhi made the controversial comments while addressing a gathering of Indian Americans in Herndon, Virginia, on September 9.
