During a recent parliamentary session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, seemingly questioning his familiarity with border regions, in what appears to be a veiled reference to Gogoi's visits to Pakistan. This exchange occurred amidst heated debates surrounding national security and the government's handling of relations with neighboring countries.
The context of Shah's remark lies in the discussions around "Operation Sindoor" and the larger issue of cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 and carried out between 1:04 am and 1:24 am. In this operation, nine terror sites in Pakistan were destroyed. The Home Minister has strongly criticized the opposition, accusing them of doubting India's External Affairs Minister while placing trust in foreign entities. He emphasized the current administration's firm stance against terrorism, contrasting it with previous governments that, according to Shah, were more passive.
The mention of Pakistan is particularly sensitive, given the country's complex relationship with India, marked by both conflict and attempts at dialogue. In this backdrop, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan on an invitation from its spy agency ISI, and that he worked closely with the establishment of the neighboring nation. Sarma claimed that the government possesses documentary evidence to support this claim and plans to present every proof before the public by September 10 after proper verification. Sarma asserted that Gogoi didn't visit for tourism but for training. He further claimed that Gogoi stayed in Pakistan for 15 days without informing the government and that Gogoi's kids are not Indian citizens.
Gogoi has responded to these allegations by clarifying that his wife, an expert in public policy, worked on a climate change project in South Asia, including Pakistan, around 2012-2013, and he accompanied her on one visit. He has also stated that the Indian government was aware of his visit to Pakistan and that he even deposited a copy of his passport. He has criticized Sarma's claims as deceptive, referring to past instances where Sarma made controversial statements. Gogoi has also pointed out that many BJP leaders have visited Pakistan over the years.
The Congress MP has also been critical of the government's approach to Pakistan, particularly regarding Operation Sindoor. He questioned the decision to halt the operation and asked why India didn't reclaim territory under Pakistani occupation. Gogoi has also demanded answers on the number of Indian jets that were downed during the operation.
These exchanges highlight the deep political divisions surrounding issues of national security and foreign policy. The accusations against Gogoi and the subsequent rebuttals underscore the sensitivity of any association with Pakistan in the current political climate. The debates in Parliament reflect broader concerns about the government's strategy in dealing with terrorism and maintaining stable relationships with neighboring countries.
