The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the Congress party and its leaders for their controversial remarks regarding the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP alleges that these remarks undermine national unity, provide ammunition to Pakistan for anti-India propaganda, and display a concerning lack of sensitivity towards the victims.
Several Congress leaders have come under fire for their statements following the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Some of these leaders questioned the account of survivors who claimed that terrorists had inquired about their religion before the killings. Others downplayed Pakistan's role in the violence or questioned the need for a strong response.
The BJP has specifically targeted comments made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and former Union Ministers Mani Shankar Aiyar and Saifuddin Soz. Wadettiwar initially questioned whether terrorists would have the time to ask victims about their religion. Saifuddin Soz reportedly said that if Pakistan denies involvement in the Pahalgam attack, India should accept their statement. The BJP views these statements as not only factually incorrect but also as harmful to India's interests.
The BJP has accused Congress of speaking in different voices on the Pahalgam terror attack. While some top Congress leaders condemned the attack and called for national unity, others made statements that contradicted this stance. The BJP questioned whether these divergent statements were part of a deliberate strategy by the Congress party. The BJP also raised concerns that these leaders were becoming "instruments in the hands of Pakistan".
In response to the BJP's accusations, the Congress party has attempted to distance itself from the controversial remarks. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the comments made by these leaders were their personal views and did not reflect the party's official position. The Congress party has also issued a gag order, cautioning its leaders to adhere to the party line on the Pahalgam attack. The party has emphasized its unwavering solidarity with the nation and the need for unity during this difficult time.
Despite the Congress party's attempts to control the narrative, the BJP has continued to attack the party for failing to rein in its leaders and for allegedly adopting a pro-Pakistan stance. The BJP has also criticized a social media post by the Congress party that featured an image of Prime Minister Modi with the text "Gayab" (missing), accusing the Congress of using divisive imagery and inciting violence. The BJP alleges that this post, along with the controversial remarks by Congress leaders, is aimed at appeasing its Muslim vote bank and undermining the Prime Minister's authority.
The controversy surrounding the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent remarks by Congress leaders has further intensified the political rivalry between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP is trying to capitalize on what it sees as a misstep by the Congress, while the Congress is attempting to contain the damage and project an image of unity and responsibility.
