The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 24 October 2026, sharply questioned the INDIA Bloc's decision to hold a rally in New Delhi on November 1 against the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of wanting to 'hurt Sikh sentiments' by choosing a date historically associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The BJP's attack came through a press conference addressed by senior party leader and Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The Core Allegation

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned why Gandhi was so 'adamant' about holding the rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, calling it a day of 'deep emotional significance' for the Sikh community. 'By creating a storm at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, what kind of salt does Rahul Gandhi want to rub into their wounds?' Prasad asked at the press conference. He accused the Congress leader of being 'stubborn', adding: 'This reflects Rahul Gandhi's true face... when he insists on something, he refuses to listen to anyone. If he is determined to have his way, he will go ahead, even if it means cruelly mocking the sentiments of the Sikh community.'

Cracks Within the INDIA Bloc, BJP Claims

Prasad alleged that several INDIA Bloc allies are reportedly dissatisfied with the November 1 date. He claimed that a virtual meeting was convened on 22 October to deliberate on the issue, but had to be postponed after many allies did not attend. 'We have also learnt that several allies were unhappy with the November 1 date and had suggested that the rally be postponed to a later date,' he said. The BJP has not independently provided evidence for these internal deliberations, and the claims remain attributed to Prasad.

Historical Context: 1984 and the Congress Record

Prasad invoked the remarks of the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who had said 'When a big tree falls, the earth shakes' following the assassination of his mother and then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards — remarks widely viewed as a justification of the riots that followed. The BJP leader also referenced the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, which he said concluded there was 'no need for any further enquiry', and noted that Misra was subsequently appointed to the Rajya Sabha. Prasad said he was 'proud' that the Narendra Modi-led government formed an SIT to probe the riots and granted compensation to affected families. He also cited the conviction and life sentence of Congress MP Sajjan Kumar as evidence of accountability under the BJP's watch.

Business Community and Traffic Disruptions

Prasad broadened his attack by citing economic disruption, claiming that anti-SIR protests earlier this month had caused losses of nearly ₹3,000 crore to Delhi's businesses during the Navratri festival, according to his statement. He said the Chamber of Trade and Industry in Delhi has written to Gandhi requesting a postponement, noting that market footfall had already dropped by 70 per cent and that a rally on November 1 — in the lead-up to Diwali — would cause further disruption. 'You brought traffic in Connaught Place to a standstill throughout the day and then sat in front of Akashvani,' Prasad said, taking a jibe at the opposition's earlier protests.

Foreign Forces Allegation and BJP's Sikh Outreach

Prasad escalated his rhetoric by accusing Gandhi of seeking to 'tarnish' India's democracy 'under pressure from foreign forces', asking: 'Is Rahul Gandhi playing a hostile game with foreign forces to defame India's democracy?' He concluded by pointing to Kartarpur Sahib and the observance of Veer Bal Diwas — commemorating the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's sons — as examples of the BJP-led government's commitment to Sikh sentiments. The INDIA Bloc has not responded to these specific charges as of the time of this report.