– Abdul Bari Masoud
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday sharply criticised the BJP for politicising Operation Sindoor. In response, the party announced nationwide “Jai Hind” rallies.
Congress leaders said Operation Sindoor was executed by India’s armed forces, and no political party should claim credit.
A meeting was held in Delhi with senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, and others from the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
The CWC expressed deep condolences to the families of soldiers, officers, and civilians killed in Poonch.
In its resolution, the CWC said, “The nation stands united in grief and resolve.” It praised the armed forces for defending the nation with courage.
The resolution reaffirmed full support from the Congress to the armed forces.
It also raised concerns over the terror attack in Pahalgam. The resolution described it as an intelligence failure.
It noted that despite warnings, terrorists launched a major attack, costing lives.
The CWC said no one had been held accountable so far. It demanded the terrorists be caught and punished.
The Congress asked the government to explain how the lapse occurred. It questioned why preventive steps were not taken despite threats.
The party said national security needs professional vigilance, not TV public relations.
The CWC expressed concern over the sudden ceasefire.
It said India’s retaliatory action ended without proper explanation, raising questions.
The resolution also criticised a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump had claimed he pushed India into a ceasefire using trade threats.
The CWC said the Modi government’s silence on Trump’s claim was unacceptable.
It noted that past Indian governments treated Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
The Congress warned that Trump’s remarks, left unchallenged, had internationalised the issue.
This, it said, hurt India’s position and linked it dangerously with Pakistan.
The CWC also condemned a BJP minister from Madhya Pradesh for insulting a senior woman Army officer.
It called the minister’s comments disgraceful and demanded his resignation.
It asked the government to act strictly against him under the law.
The Congress repeated its demand for an all-party meeting led by PM Modi.
It also called for a special Parliament session.
The CWC said the government must show transparency and involve the Opposition.
It stated that dialogue and unity are key to strong governance.
The resolution said people deserve answers, not silence.
It criticised the PM for meeting only NDA Chief Ministers on April 25.
The Congress said this was a clear move to politicise the operation.
It asked why the PM never held an all-party meeting.
It said PM Modi should meet all Chief Ministers regardless of party.
At a press briefing, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera announced “Jai Hind” rallies nationwide.
Ramesh asked why PM Modi and the External Affairs Minister were silent on Trump’s claims.
He said there was “maximum silence on real issues and maximum politicisation” of Operation Sindoor.
He insisted that Operation Sindoor belonged to the armed forces, not to any party.
Pawan Khera said Congress objected to Trump linking India and Pakistan.
He criticised Trump for equating the two countries’ Prime Ministers.
He said the PM should have denied Trump’s claim, even with one line in his address.
