New Delhi, April 28 (H.S.): Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar’s statement has sparked a firestorm. The BJP has retaliated, labeling the Congress leader’s remarks as insensitive.
During a press conference held at the BJP headquarters on Monday, MP Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that the unfortunate incident that took place in Pahalgam was witnessed by the entire nation. There is widespread outrage among the people against it. Prime Minister Modi has clearly stated both in Bihar and in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that strict action will be taken against terrorists. An all-party meeting was also convened, in which all political parties condemned the terrorist attack and paid tribute to the martyrs. At the start of the meeting, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the attack. All parties at the all-party meeting supported the steps taken by the government and those that will be taken in the future.
Ravi Shankar described this is the major terrorist attack in the country, where individuals were targeted and shot based on their religion, specifically identifying Hindus. Some victims were executed for failing to recite the Kalma. He criticized Congress leaders for questioning these accounts, highlighting Manishankar Aiyar’s insensitivity, considering his past remarks seeking Pakistani assistance against Prime Minister Modi.
Despite Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi expressing support for government actions, Shankar noted that some Congress figures, like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, publicly oppose military action against Pakistan, which he argued undermines national unity. He questioned whether Gandhi and Kharge have control over their party, pointing out the inconsistency between the party’s official stance and the statements of its leaders, which Pakistan could exploit for propaganda.
Shankar expressed disappointment that, while India seeks solidarity in the face of terrorism, discordant voices within Congress are detrimental to the country’s image. He urged a united front, emphasizing the need for coherence during a time when global support for India is strong. He referenced Aiyar’s comments linking the recent attack to unresolved partition issues, indicating a persistent cycle of criticism from within Congress that complicates the national narrative.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
