Rahul Gandhi Heckled by Khalistani Supporters at Event in US, Crowd Responds with ‘Bharat Jodo’ Slogans

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was giving a speech at an event in California when he was heckled by a group of Khalistani supporters. He then joined the audience in chanting ‘Bharat Jodo’ slogans. BJP leader Amit Malviya then criticized Rahul Gandhi on Twitter to which Congress leader Supriya Shrinate responded and called him a traitor.

During the ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ event organised by Indian Overseas Congress USA in Santa Clara, California, a group of Khalistani supporters started heckling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi was seemingly unphased by the slogans that the hecklers were chanting. “Welcome, welcome … nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukan (in a market of hate, a shop of love),” he said.

As the Khalistani supporters were dealt with, Congress supporters started chanting ‘Bharat Jodo’ and Rahul Gandhi joined in. He then stated that Congress party members don’t get angry or aggressive and listen to what someone has to say, even if they oppose them.

“The interesting thing about us, about the Congress party is that we have affection towards everybody. If someone wants to come and say something regardless of what they are saying, we are happy to listen to them. We are not going to get angry, we are not going to get aggressive. We will nicely listen to it. In fact, we will be affectionate to them, will be loving to them. Because that’s our nature,” he said.

BJP leader Amit Malviya, however, took a jab at the Congress leader and posted on Twitter, “Rahul Gandhi heckled for the 1984 Sikh genocide (unleashed by the Congress), in America…aisi nafrat ki aag lagayi thi, jo ab tak nahi buji (the fire of hatred you ignited is still burning strong).”

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate was quick to respond to Malviya’s post and asked him why he was supporting the pro-Khalistan elements to oppose Gandhi. She also called him a traitor in her Twitter post, which said, “If you had listened further, you would have found out how the people raised Bharat Jodo slogan to give a reply to those Khalistani slogans. You also take the Tiranga and say ‘Bharat Jodo’. Believe me, a traitor like you will also feel good.”

Vineet Washington