Nadda Calls INDIA Bloc Rally 'Foolish Drama', Accuses Rahul of Insulting Sikhs

BJP chief says holding the protest on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots amounts to rubbing salt into the wounds of the Sikh community

Union minister JP Nadda on Sunday slammed the opposition INDIA bloc's rally as a "foolish drama" and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of "rubbing salt into the wounds of Sikhs" by holding the protest in Delhi on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Nadda claimed that the protest was part of a well-thought-out conspiracy to surrender democracy to anarchy and disorder, and will prove to be the final "nail in the coffin" of Congress' "political downfall.

"Removing the democratically elected government by conspiring to spread riots and anarchy in Delhi, adversely impacting the earnings of shopkeepers and traders in Delhi during the festive season and defaming the country are other objectives of the rally," the senior BJP leader told reporters.

"The day of November 1 is the ugliest and darkest blot on India's democratic history. On this very day, goons patronised by Congress massacred our innocent Sikh brothers. Thousands and lakhs of Sikh families became homeless overnight," Nadda said referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He said India is a strong democracy and will not be run by riot-based politics, but by the Constitution and the mandate of the people. "Whatever is happening today at Ramlila Maidan is not respect for democracy, but a well-thought-out conspiracy to surrender democracy to anarchy and disorder.

"This is a foolish and designed drama of people who have been defeated and repeatedly rejected by the public. The public understands this very well," he charged. The Opposition alliance is holding the 'Chalo Dilli' protest in the national capital as part of its campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"Rahul Gandhi, listen carefully. You cannot hide the dark history of November 1. You cannot escape answering for the tears of Delhi's traders," Nadda said, adding, "Your rally will prove to be the final nail in the coffin of Congress' political downfall."

Nadda said thousands of people were killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, but the Gandhi family has not apologised to the Sikh community to this day for "their great sin". "Thousands of sisters became widows. The country has not forgotten this. Even today, the Widow Colony in Delhi bears testimony to that horrific and bloody history of Congress."

"And look at Congress's insensitivity and Rahul Gandhi's petty mindset. On this dark day today, when the country should have remembered those martyrs and victims, Rahul Gandhi is standing at Ramlila Maidan polishing his politics. Rahul Gandhi has rubbed salt into the wounds of the Sikhs," he charged.

Nadda alleged Gandhi's "model of politics" has "lying and spreading rumours" in its first stage. "The second stage is creating anarchy and unrest on the streets. The third stage is harming the country's economy. And the fourth stage is trying to destabilise an elected government at the behest of foreign powers."

Nadda also took on the Congress allies in the opposition INDIA bloc, asking if they have also joined the Congress to commit the "sin of rubbing salt into the wounds of Sikh brothers". "I want to ask all allies of the INDI alliance today. Are you also a partner in this sin of Delhi's traders' devastation? Have you also started hating the people of the country merely while hating the BJP?" he said.

Nadda alleged that the objectives of Gandhi and the Congress behind organising the rally during this festive season were also to "cripple" Delhi, "strike" at the livelihood of small shopkeepers and traders, and create an "atmosphere of riots and violence" in the country.

"It is the festive season. It is Dhanteras, Diwali, Chhath Puja. Throughout the year, our small traders, street vendors, shopkeepers wait for it for some earnings during these festivals. But Rahul Gandhi does not care about the stoves burning in traders' homes. He only wants to ignite the fire of his politics," he added.

Nadda said the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written thrice to Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee, appealing to them not to call such huge crowds in Delhi during the festivals and hamper their business.

"Due to previous protests, Delhi's traders have already suffered a loss of nearly Rs 3,000 crore. And due to today's political spectacle, according to an estimate, our shopkeepers are likely to suffer a hit of more than Rs 10,000 crore. Rahul Gandhi's stubbornness has completely shut down their business today," he added.

Nadda alleged that Gandhi goes abroad and insults India, and upon returning he attacks India's "democracy and economy". "Is this your agenda? Is your objective not the nation's development, but spreading destruction in the country?" the BJP leader asked Gandhi

"I want to give a clear warning to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. The people of India are no longer going to fall for your deception. This toolkit of your anarchy has now been exposed," Nadda added.