The statement by Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar has ignited considerable controversy, prompting a strong response from the BJP, which deemed his remarks insensitive. During a recent press conference at BJP headquarters, MP Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the nation regarding the tragic incident in Pahalgam that has sparked widespread outrage. He noted that Prime Minister Modi has openly condemned the attack and assured that stringent actions will be taken against terrorists, a sentiment echoed during his speeches in Bihar and in his ‘Mann Ki Baat.’
An all-party meeting was convened, where political leaders united in their condemnation of the terrorist act and honored the martyrs with a two-minute silence at the start of the proceedings. During the meeting, representatives from all parties endorsed the government’s current and future measures to address this heinous incident, designated as a significant act of terrorism characterized by targeting individuals based on their religion.
Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Aiyar for allegedly undermining the victims’ experiences, suggesting that certain Congress leaders questioned whether terrorists had inquired about the religion of their victims. He reminded attendees that Aiyar had previously suggested seeking Pakistani assistance to oppose Modi, labeling this stance as particularly insensitive. He also highlighted the support from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi for the government’s efforts, reinforcing the notion that this consensus underlines the strength of a mature democracy in responding to such crises. Overall, the incident has intensified tensions between the BJP and Congress, with implications for political discourse in the country.
During the aftermath of the 26/11 incident, the BJP expressed unwavering support for the government. At this critical juncture, similar expectations were held for Congress. However, certain Congress leaders have made remarks that are detrimental to national unity. For instance, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly stated that war is unnecessary and that Congress does not support it, while Pakistan capitalizes on such statements.
Ravishankar raised concerns about whether Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have any sway over their party, highlighting a contradiction between Congress’s official stance of national solidarity and the careless comments made by its leaders. These remarks are reportedly being exploited by Pakistan in its media narratives. In a period when unity is paramount for India, such divisive comments harm the country’s image abroad. Although the intention was not to convene a press conference regarding this issue, the pattern of behavior is alarming and should be addressed. When global support is rallied around India, it begs the question of why internal unity is lacking.
Furthermore, Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar drew attention during a recent book launch to the terrorist attack on April 22 at the scenic Baisaran site, attributing it to “unsolved questions of partition.” This statement underscores the contentious environment in which political leaders are operating, and the perceived impact of their words on the broader national dialogue concerning security and unity in the face of external threats.
