Congress party president Rahul Gandhi has spoken on record and volunteered to take responsibility for all the Congress party's mistakes over its history, including those from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. During a recent meeting in the United States at Brown University, Gandhi freely replied to a Sikh man's incriminating questions about Congress' previous actions, taking responsibility for the party's misdeeds even though most of them had been done before he entered politics.
The Sikh interviewer condemned Gandhi on his earlier remarks over concerns of BJP's India restricting Sikh religious freedoms and condemned Congress for failing to reconcile with the Sikh community.
He also pointed out the misnaming of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution as separatist and mentioned convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's involvement in the 1984 riots, holding the party responsible for providing refuge to such elements.
Responding, Rahul Gandhi said, "I don't think Sikhs are afraid of anything," leaving no doubt that his comments were in the context of freedom of religion. He accepted responsibility for Congress' mistakes and reaffirmed that he has publicly condemned the actions of the 1980s and enjoys good relations with the Sikh community.
This candid admission is a turning point as Gandhi confronts the party's chequered past and issues of religious freedom and political reconciliation.
The debate has resulted in widespread debate, with critics accusing Gandhi of hypocrisy and others viewing it as a step towards accountability.
