The Congress party is reportedly planning to seek an explanation from Shashi Tharoor regarding his recent remarks seemingly praising the Modi government's approach to handling terrorism, particularly in the context of "Operation Sindoor." Tharoor's statements, made while leading a multi-party delegation abroad, have stirred controversy within the party, with some leaders accusing him of deviating from the party's official stance and acting as an unofficial spokesperson for the BJP.
Specifically, Tharoor's comments in Panama, where he lauded the Modi government's counter-terrorism actions and highlighted a shift in India's approach, have drawn criticism. He praised the surgical strikes of 2016 and the Balakot airstrike of 2019, emphasizing that India's response to terrorism had evolved significantly and sent a strong message to terror groups. Tharoor articulated that terrorists now realize they will pay a price for their actions, stating that India decided that the color of the sindoor, the vermilion color on the forehead of women, will also match the color of the blood of the killers, the perpetrators, the attackers. These remarks are viewed by some within the Congress as an endorsement of the Modi government's policies.
Several Congress leaders have voiced their displeasure, with some reminding Tharoor of surgical strikes conducted during the UPA regime, implying that such actions were not unique to the current government. Udit Raj went so far as to call Tharoor a "super BJP spokesperson," suggesting that he was doing a better job of praising PM Modi than BJP members themselves. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also joined in the criticism, posting an old interview of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which he stated that many surgical strikes were conducted under the UPA government, subtly reminding Tharoor and the public that such actions were not exclusive to the Modi administration.
The Congress party's official position, as stated by sources, is that six surgical strikes were conducted during the UPA regime but were never publicized. The party believes that the Modi government is taking undue credit for the Army's actions and that the issue should be raised, especially given the recent ceasefire. The top leadership is reportedly miffed with Tharoor, feeling that he is providing "cover fire" to the Modi government following Operation Sindoor, during which India destroyed terror camps and struck military sites in Pakistan.
Amidst the criticism, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has come to Tharoor's defense, questioning the Congress party's stance. Rijiju questioned whether Indian MPs should speak against India and its Prime Minister while abroad, suggesting that there should be a limit to political desperation.
Adding another layer to the controversy, the Congress has also launched a broader attack on the BJP-led government's foreign policy in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The party accuses the government of diplomatic failure and a compromised stance on national security, pointing to a lack of international support following the operation and growing ties between Pakistan and other nations. Congress leader Pawan Khera stated that no country called Pakistan a terrorist state and no country gave a statement in India's favor after Operation Sindoor, blaming the government's failed foreign policy.
Tharoor himself has addressed some of the concerns, clarifying that his remarks were specifically about India's recent retaliations for terrorist attacks across the Line of Control (LoC) and not about past wars. He explained that previous Indian responses to attacks were more restrained out of respect for the LoC and the International Border (IB). He has also expressed disappointment over condolences offered by other nations to those killed in Pakistan, emphasizing that there can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend and highlighting Pakistan's support for terrorists.
