Thu Sep 12 11:04:04 UTC 2024: ## BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of “Anti-India” Sentiment After Meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, of harboring “anti-India” sentiments and “working against India” following his meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce Omar as a “Pakistan sponsored anti-India voice, a radical Islamist and an advocate of independent Kashmir.” This statement comes after Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit to the US to “strengthen the bond” between India and America, met with a group of American lawmakers, including Omar.

Omar, a Somali-American representative for Minnesota’s Fifth District, has been a vocal critic of India’s policies in the past.

**Past Controversies:**

* **Khalistani Separatist Killing:** Omar condemned the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and urged the US to support Canada’s investigation into potential Indian involvement.
* **Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Visit:** Omar visited Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2022, where she met with Pakistani leaders and raised concerns about human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing criticism from India.
* **Resolution on Human Rights Violations:** In 2022, Omar introduced a resolution in Congress to condemn human rights violations in India, particularly against religious minorities, and called for India to be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

The BJP’s accusation against Rahul Gandhi comes amidst a growing tension between India and the US over the latter’s stance on Kashmir and human rights issues. The meeting between Gandhi and Omar is likely to further fuel this political discourse.

**Note:** The article also includes information about the upcoming release of the film Bagheera, which is unrelated to the political situation. This information has been excluded from the rewritten news article.

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