RP Singh’s comments, which framed the Sikh community's traditional religious committee in a Christian context, led to a public outcry, with prominent Sikh leaders and organizations condemning the remark as inflammatory and derogatory. Singh, a senior BJP spokesperson and a noted Sikh figure within the party, has been actively involved in BJP’s minority outreach efforts, but his recent statements have cast a shadow on his position, raising questions within his own party and the Sikh community about potential political motivations behind such a statement. The controversy has been seized upon by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, who announced their intention to pursue legal redress, describing the remarks as “a blatant attempt to undermine Sikh religious identity.”
This episode has further highlighted the historical tensions between the BJP and Sikh political organizations, especially in light of past confrontations and the legacy of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Over the years, numerous Sikh leaders have criticized the BJP for failing to adequately address longstanding grievances rooted in incidents like the 1984 riots, an issue that remains politically and emotionally charged for Sikhs across India and abroad. SAD leaders, including former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, have condemned Singh’s statements as a sign of the BJP’s insensitivity towards Sikh traditions, calling for immediate action from both party leadership and legal bodies to address what they consider an “insult to Sikh heritage.”
The legal proceedings initiated by the SAD mark a significant escalation in the Sikh community’s response, underscoring the intensifying scrutiny of political narratives concerning religious minorities in India. High-profile Sikh figures in the BJP, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, have previously defended the party’s outreach to Sikh voters, yet this incident risks alienating a community that has been historically wary of the BJP’s approach to religious issues. Singh’s comments were met with criticism from multiple fronts, with prominent voices in Punjab and diaspora communities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States amplifying the controversy on social media platforms.