Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of spreading lies about his US remarks on Sikhs, even as the BJP urged him to withdraw his statement.

As BJP leaders continue their protests over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's alleged "divisive and provocative" statements about the condition of Sikhs in India, Gandhi on Saturday, September 21, issued a response condemning the ruling party for spreading falsehoods about his recent remarks made during his visit to the United States.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge affirmed the party's support for the reservation system as long as untouchability exists in India. He accused the BJP of spreading false propaganda against Rahul Gandhi and failing to fill 1 lakh vacant government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP asked Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his statement and said that several Sikh and gurdwara management bodies had met Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai to express concern over the issue.

BJP's "poisonous mindset", Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said his party would launch an agitation against threats to Rahul Gandhi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday defended his remarks on Sikhs and other sections of the Indian society made during his visit to the United States earlier this month. Accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “spreading lies” over his comments, he said attempts are being made to silence him.

Rahul Gandhi defended his comments made in the US about Sikhs, accusing the BJP of lying to silence him. He stressed that all Indians should freely practice their religion. The BJP urged him to retract his statement,

While interacting with students and members of the Indian diaspora in the US earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had talked about Sikh rights, which had led to strong criticism by the BJP.

Breaking his silence amid ongoing row over his Sikh remark made during his visit to America, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on BJP and said that he will always speak up for the values that define India.