‘Desh Virodh Ok?’ In Fresh Row, BJP Shares Rahul Gandhi's Photo With US Politician Who Opposed Article 370 Move

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for meeting “anti-India” and “radical” politician Ilhan Omar during his three-day trip to the United States. The saffron party asked why the Congress leader had to meet her and if it was ok to go for “desh virodh” during “BJP virodh”.

Gandhi, who has interacted with the Indian diaspora besides students and faculty at universities during his visit to the United States, also met US lawmakers. The meeting, which took place at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC was hosted by Congressman Bradley James Sherman and those present included US Congress members Jonathan Jackson, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, Shri Thanedar, Jesus G “Chuy” Garcia, Ilhan Omar, Hank Johnson and Jan Schakowsky.

Responding to Gandhi’s meeting with US representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, Omar, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media platform X and said, “After spewing venom against Sikhs & running down India on foreign soil now Rahul Gandhi meets & engages with anti-India Ilhan Omar.

Reiterating Omar’s anti-India stance, he wrote, “1) Ilhan had introduced anti India resolutions in US Congress 2) She has been against abrogation of Art 370 3) She violated India’s sovereignty & visited PoK on a trip sponsored by Pakistan 4) She met Imran Khan & other such elements to discuss “Islamophobia” in India 5) She has been instrumental in peddling hatred against Hindus.”

He further asked, “Why did Rahul Gandhi have to meet her? Why is he engaging with the most radical anti-India elements on every foreign trip? In BJP virodh – desh virodh is ok?”

‘Congress Openly Working Against India’: Amit Malviya

The saffron party’s media cell in-charge and senior leader Amit Malviya wrote, “India’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi meets Ilhan Omar in the USA, a Pakistan sponsored anti-India voice, a radical Islamist and an advocate of independent Kashmir. Even Pakistani leaders would be more circumspect about being seen with such rabid elements. Congress is now openly working against India.”

Who is Ilhan Omar?

Ilhan Abdullahi Omar, 41, who is known for meddling in India’s affairs, is an American politician serving as the US representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Omar’s visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had evoked a furious response from India two years ago. Omar visited PoK during a four-day trip to Pakistan. Omar had previously been perceived as a supporter of Pakistan’s line on Jammu and Kashmir. India had said Omar’s visit to PoK violated the country’s sovereignty and reflected her “narrow-minded” politics.

Despite the diplomatic uproar, during her meeting with Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary, the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan’s name for PoK), Omar referred to India’s abrogation of Article 370. “We are deeply worried about the India’s 5th August 2019 action,” she was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

She has also been commenting on the India-Canada diplomatic row.

What Rahul Gandhi Said On Sikhs?

Addressing the members of the Indian diaspora in Virginia, Gandhi said that the fight in India is about whether a person, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara.

While interacting with a member of the Indian community, Gandhi further asked his name and then said that the fight was about whether he would be allowed to wear a turban or kada in India.

Rahul On Caste Census, Quota System

Speaking to students at Georgetown University on Monday, Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reiterated his demand for a caste census and said the Congress party wanted to know the socio-economic position of lower castes in India. He also said the Congress party would think of scrapping reservations when India becomes a “fair place”, which is not the case right now.