Rahul's big statement on Sikh riots: 'I take responsibility. What happened in the 1980s was wrong'

Washington/New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): During a program organized at Brown University in America, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made an important comment about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He accepted these riots as the 'mistake' of the Congress party and said that he is ready to take responsibility for every 'mistake' in the history of the party, even if that incident happened before he became active in politics.

Rahul Gandhi made this statement in response to sharp questions asked by a Sikh youth during a session organized at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. The Sikh youth had asked a direct question to Rahul Gandhi. He said that while he (Rahul) had expressed apprehension about Sikhs being prevented from wearing 'Kada' or 'Pagdi' under BJP rule, the Congress itself violated the freedom of expression of Sikhs in 1984. The youth also asked whether he would take responsibility for the party's role in protecting leaders like Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 riots?

In response to this question, Rahul Gandhi said, "Many mistakes were made when I was not in politics, but I am ready to take responsibility for every mistake made by the Congress party." He further said that he has said publicly many times that whatever happened in 1984 was wrong. Rahul Gandhi also mentioned his good relations with the Sikh community and said that he has visited the Golden Temple many times. During this, Rahul Gandhi also said that the fear being felt regarding religious freedom during the rule of BJP is real.