In the midst of a whirlwind election campaign, where back-to-back press conferences define the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday carved out a moment of calm at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Arriving at the revered Sikh shrine late in the evening after a jam-packed schedule, he took a brief pause from his political duties to offer a humble service to the devotees — offering them drinking water. His visit reflected a personal connection to the Sikhs’ holiest shrine that has grown over time.
Rahul Gandhi’s day had started with a press conference at 10 am in Mumbai addressing the Maharashtra elections, followed by another one at 3 pm in Ranchi, where he spoke about the upcoming elections in Jharkhand. Despite the tight time constraints, he reached Amritsar in the evening and visited the Golden Temple, performing sewa at 8 pm. He is scheduled to stay overnight at Amritsar.
This wasn’t his first sewa (service) visit to the Golden Temple. On October 2, 2023, Rahul Gandhi had stayed for three days, immersing himself in the sewa activities — working alongside volunteers in the langar, chopping vegetables, washing dishes, and distributing food to the masses. His commitment to serving the devotees even extended to managing shoes at the shoe storage area, a small yet significant gesture that drew praise. This year, his visit was shorter but just as meaningful. Rahul Gandhi was seen holding a young child as he offered water to the devotees, symbolizing a blend of compassion and humility.
The timing of his visit was significant. Punjab is gearing up for elections, with voting set for November 20 across four assembly constituencies. As the electioneering came to a halt at 6 pm on November 18, Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Golden Temple served as a reminder of his spiritual connection amidst the political noise.
This visit to Amritsar is part of Rahul Gandhi’s broader engagement with Punjab, where he has frequently made stops, including during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, though Amritsar wasn’t initially part of the route. On that occasion, he had made an unscheduled visit, donning a pagri (turban) and offering his respects at the Golden Temple.
