Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, questioning why the then-UPA government did not retaliate against Pakistan following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Modi referenced a recent interview given by senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, in which Chidambaram stated that the government decided against military action due to intense international pressure.
Modi emphasized the severity of the Mumbai attacks, in which 10 Pakistan-based terrorists wreaked havoc in India's financial capital for 60 hours, killing at least 175 people, including civilians, security personnel, and foreign tourists. He argued that the Congress-led UPA government's inaction sent a message of weakness and compromised national security.
"The Congress needs to tell who made the decision under pressure from a foreign power. The country has all the right to know. Congress's weakness strengthened the terrorists,” Modi stated. He accused the Congress of weakening the fight against terrorism and forcing the country to pay a heavy price in lives lost.
The Prime Minister highlighted Chidambaram's remarks that "the whole world descended upon Delhi to tell us 'don't start a war'". Modi pointed out that the former Home Minister's statements implied that the UPA government succumbed to foreign pressure and prevented the Indian armed forces from responding to the attacks.
Modi did not explicitly name the country that exerted the alleged pressure. However, reports indicate that the United States, among other world powers, urged India against military retaliation. Modi questioned why the Congress party "succumbed under pressure from a foreign country and played with the nation's sentiments".
In contrast to the UPA government's alleged inaction, Modi asserted that his government prioritizes the safety and security of the nation and its citizens. He stated that "today's India gives a befitting reply" to terror attacks, suggesting a more proactive approach to national security. He referred to Operation Sindoor launched by Indian armed forces against terror hubs in Pakistan in May after the Pahalgam massacre.
The Prime Minister's remarks come at a time of heightened political tensions, with national elections approaching. His accusations against the Congress party are likely to intensify the debate over national security and foreign policy, particularly in relation to Pakistan. The Congress party is yet to respond to Modi's specific allegations, but the issue is expected to be a major point of contention in the coming days.
