Former Union Minister and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that some Congress leaders were raising doubts on the Pahalgam victims’ testimonies that the terrorists shot down people after asking their religion. File
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday asserted that comments made by some of the prominent Congress leaders on the Pahalgam terror attack were used by Pakistan to fuel anti-India propaganda, which prompted the principal Opposition party to get into the fire-fighting mode.
Responding to the charge, Congress general secretary in-charge of communication Jairam Ramesh distanced the party from the comments made by his colleagues and stated that “they speak for themselves”. Mr. Ramesh asserted that the party’s position had been made clear by the Congress Working Committee, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
At a press conference, former Union Minister and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that some Congress leaders were raising doubts on the Pahalgam victims’ testimonies that the terrorists shot down people after asking their religion.
He sought answers from the Congress leadership on the “condemnable” comments made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, his Cabinet colleague Ramappa Balappa Timmapur; Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, Haryana Minister Chaudhary Chander Kumar, former Union Ministers Mani Shankar Aiyar and Saifuddin Soz.
Acknowledging that Mr. Kharge and Mr. Gandhi had given a public statement that the party was with the government’s action on the issue, Mr. Prasad said it reflected the strength of a mature democracy. He said the BJP had firmly backed the Congress-led government during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. “We were expecting the same from Congress…but what are some big leaders of the Congress saying and what is the purpose behind it?” he asked.
Slams Siddaramaiah
The BJP leader questioned Mr. Siddharamaiah’s “war is not needed” remark; termed Mr. Timmapur’s purported assertion that the terrorists did not ask the religion of the tourists before shooting them as “shameful” and criticised Mr. Wadettiwar for doubting the fact that terrorists had indeed done so. “It is the height of insensitivity,” he said.
Mr. Prasad targeted Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for “irresponsibly” accusing the government of talking about “Hindutva” and claiming that the minorities in the country were troubled. “Then, Mani Shankar Aiyar says ‘we’ have not been able to resolve the consequences of the Partition, what does he mean by that?…,” he said.
He said while the whole world, including the countries such as the U.S., Russia, Australia, England, Italy, the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, backed India in the fight against terrorism, Animal Husbandry Minister in Himachal government Chaudhary Chandra Kumar said the world was “ridiculing us”.
‘Akhilesh’s apathy’
The BJP leader called out Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav for the “apathy” he showed towards the family of a victim, Shubham Dwivedi, from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Stating that “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were raised in the Mahagathbandhan march in Bihar, Mr. Prasad denounced Congress leader from Kashmir Saifuddin Soz.
“Mr. Soz said ‘water is important for irrigation and drinking purposes in Pakistan…the Indus water treaty is a lifeline for Pakistan…if Pakistan takes a stand that they are not involved in the Pahalgam attack, then we should accept Pakistan’. Should we accept Pakistan’s words? Should I call it responsible or shameful? He has been a Minister at the Centre…all these statements are being misused in Pakistan, media campaigns are being run,” said Mr. Prasad.
Congress’s stand
Mr. Ramesh asserted that on April 24, the Congress Working Committee had adopted a resolution denouncing the terror attack. “Thereafter, on the evening of April 24, the Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha attended the all-party meeting and put forward the party’s views. Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the Congress’ views,” he posted on X.
The post, prompted by comments from several Congress leaders, is meant to send a clear signal to party leaders they should either refrain from speaking on the issue or toe the party line, said the party sources.
Statement war
The out-of-turn comments by Congress leaders led to a public spat between Lok Sabha member from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor and his party colleague Udit Raj.
Mr. Raj hit out at Mr. Tharoor for his renarks that “no country has 100 per cent foolproof intelligence” and said that claims of foolproof security was made by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a post on X, Mr. Raj said,” Shashi Tharoor said no country has 100 per cent foolproof intelligence? At the time of 26/11 Mumbai attack, Modi ji had said after reaching Mumbai from Gujarat that it is the failure of the central government. He said that the problem is the Centre and not the border.”
Mr. Tharoor hit back at Mr. Raj saying the latter was a former Bharatiya Janata Party MP and “is better qualified to understand who speaks for the BJP”.
Published – April 29, 2025 02:50 am IST
