Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following the latter's "surrender" remark concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the recent Operation Sindoor. Nadda accused Gandhi of treason and insulting the courage and valor of the Indian armed forces, asserting that such behavior is ingrained in the Congress party's history and ideology.
The controversy erupted after Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a Congress event in Bhopal, alleged that PM Modi "surrendered" to US President Donald Trump by agreeing to a ceasefire with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This operation, ভারতীয় জনতা পার্টি sources reported, saw the Indian armed forces penetrating deep into Pakistani territory, destroying airbases and terrorist infrastructure. Nadda, along with other BJP leaders, vehemently refuted Gandhi's claims, emphasizing the success of Operation Sindoor and the bravery of the Indian soldiers involved.
Nadda, in a series of strongly worded statements, accused Rahul Gandhi of undermining the morale of the armed forces and disrespecting the nation. He stated that Gandhi's remarks were not only unfortunate but also a "grave insult" to the Indian Army and the 1.4 billion citizens of India. He further added that if a Pakistani had made such a statement, it would have been dismissed, but coming from an Indian leader, it was "nothing less than treason."
The BJP president didn't hold back in his criticism of the Congress party's historical record. Nadda asserted that "surrender" is a recurring theme in the Congress's past actions and policies. He cited instances such as surrendering to terrorism, the Shimla Agreement after the 1971 war, the Indus Water Treaty, and even the circumstances surrounding India's independence, alleging a pattern of compromising national interests. Nadda proclaimed, "Surrender is in the dictionary of your party Congress; it is in your DNA."
Furthermore, Nadda sought to highlight the contrast between the BJP's approach and what he characterized as the Congress's history of weakness. He emphasized that the success of Operation Sindoor was announced by senior officers of the Indian Army, not by the government or any BJP spokesperson, underscoring the military's independent achievement. He also pointed out that Pakistan is "crying" before the world about the destruction caused by the Indian military, while Rahul Gandhi is talking about India's surrender.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi echoed Nadda's sentiments, condemning Gandhi's remarks as reflecting a "sick and dangerous" mindset. Trivedi went so far as to suggest that Gandhi's statements were more supportive of Pakistan than even the Pakistani establishment itself. He also criticized the opposition INDIA bloc, claiming that while "INDIA" is in their name, "Pakistan" is in their heart.
The Congress party, meanwhile, has defended Rahul Gandhi's remarks, arguing that criticizing Modi does not amount to criticizing India. They claim that Gandhi's "Narender-surrender" jibe encapsulates how PM Modi has repeatedly "surrendered" India's national interests.