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From Kargil to Operation Sindoor: 54 Times Congress Leaders Questioned India’s Armed Forces And Security Operations

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The Commune
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On 31 October 2025, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy sparked controversy during a public rally in Jubilee Hills, where he made remarks critical of Operation Sindoor and questioned the response of the Indian Armed Forces. Addressing the gathering, Reddy alleged that the forces “did not react” when Pakistan attacked India, implying inaction during the cross-border confrontation. His comments have since drawn sharp criticism for undermining the military’s role in a nationally sensitive operation.

An analysis of the public statements and positions taken by leaders of the Indian National Congress from the Kargil War in 1999 to Operation Sindoor in 2025 reveals a persistent pattern of questioning the government’s actions against terrorism.

In this article, we look at 54 instances that highlight occasions where Congress leaders have sought proof for military operations, blamed the Indian governments for intelligence failures, expressed skepticism about cross-border strikes, and made statements characterized as sympathetic towards Pakistan. The party’s stance has consistently sparked political controversy, with critics accusing it of undermining national security and the armed forces for political gain.

#1 CM Revanth Reddy Mocks Operation Sindoor – 31 October 2025

Telangana Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Revanth Reddy publicly questioned the efficacy of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to a major terrorist attack. Addressing a rally in Hyderabad, Reddy alleged that the Indian armed forces “did not react” when Pakistan initiated aggression. He further stated, “when Pakistan kicked us and we didn’t retaliate,” a remark widely condemned as an insult to the military.

#2 Imran Masood Compares Bhagat Singh to Hamas – 23 October 2025

Congress MP Imran Masood stirred controversy by comparing the Palestinian militant group Hamas to Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. During a podcast, Masood claimed that Hamas was “fighting for their land” just as Bhagat Singh did. He also downplayed the impact of Operation Sindoor, stating it had no role in “bringing Pakistan to its knees.”

#3 Sam Pitroda’s “At Home in Pakistan” Remark – 19 September 2025

Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, sparked outrage with his comments on India’s foreign policy. He advised the government to improve relations with neighbours, stating, “I’ve been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home.”

The remark, made amidst ongoing tensions, was criticized as being insensitive and trivializing the security threats posed by cross-border terrorism. Opponents accused him of being out of touch with ground realities and displaying an inappropriate affinity for a hostile nation.

#4 Chidambaram’s “Clean Chit” on Pahalgam Attack – 26 July 2025

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram questioned the government’s assertion that terrorists from Pakistan carried out the Pahalgam attack. In an interview, he asked, “Why do you assume that the attackers came from Pakistan?” and suggested they could be “homegrown terrorists.” He also accused the government of “hiding the losses” suffered during Operation Sindoor.

His comments were seen as giving a clean chit to Pakistan and echoing its narrative, leading to accusations of undermining national unity in the face of terrorism.

Previous Instances Of Chidambaram Peddling Pro- Pakistan Agenda

In May 2025, during a controversy over an India-Pakistan
ceasefire agreement, Chidambaram questioned whether
India’s decision was influenced by external pressure, particularly from the United States.

In April 2019, while speaking at an Observer Research
Foundation (ORF) symposium, Chidambaram stated that
India must “change its behaviour toward Pakistan” in
order to bring about a change in Islamabad’s conduct. He emphasized that “war is not an option” and
advocated for a more harmonious relationship.

In February 2017, Chidambaram asserted that India must
continuously engage with Pakistan, stating, “We are
neighbours… we will be neighbours for hundreds of
years.” He cautioned against flip-flop foreign policy and
argued that dialogue was the only sustainable solution.

In December 2016, during a public discussion, Chidambaram insisted that India should not walk away from diplomacy even in the face of provocations. “You have to continue to engage with Pakistan,” he said, adding that eventually, India must find a way to coexist peacefully.

#5 Wadettiwar on Religion and Terrorism – 28 April 2025

Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar made controversial statements following the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists were reported to have targeted victims based on their religion. He questioned this narrative, asking, “Do terrorists have time for all this?” and asserted that “terrorists don’t have any religion.”

By diverting the focus from the targeted nature of the violence to a debate on the perpetrators’ motives, his comments were criticized for attempting to whitewash a clear case of communally-motivated terror.

#6 Safiuddin Soz Urges Trust in Pakistan – 28 April 2025

Congress leader and former Union Minister Safiuddin Soz made a controversial appeal in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. He stated that if Pakistan denies its involvement, India should “accept it for now and trust its investigative agencies.” He emphasized dialogue as the only solution, stating, “There is no military solution.”

This call for trusting a nation that India alleges sponsors terrorism was widely condemned as naive and against national security interests.

#7 Karnataka Minister Ramappa Timmapur Questions Religious Angle in Terror Attacks – 27 April 2025

Karnataka cabinet minister and Congress leader Ramappa Balappa Timmapur stirred controversy with remarks downplaying the religious targeting in terror attacks. Timmapur said terrorists “kill and flee” without asking victims’ religion, arguing that “some vested interests” wrongly link every incident to faith. He further accused the BJP of “trying to take political advantage from the deaths of innocents,” alleging the party has “played politics even when the country faces danger.” 

#8 Congress Leader Karan Singh Says ‘Better If We Do Not Go to War’ After Pahalgam Attack – 26 April 2025

Senior Congress leader Dr. Karan Singh commented on the Pahalgam terror attack, urging restraint amid rising tensions. Singh acknowledged that “necessary steps have been taken” in response to the incident but cautioned against immediate military escalation. “It’s better if we do not go to war now, but we will see how the situation develops,” he said.

#9 Robert Vadra Links Pahalgam Attack to Social Atmosphere – 28 April 2025

Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, made a controversial statement linking the Pahalgam terror attack to the domestic social atmosphere. He claimed, “The atmosphere in the country is deteriorating in the name of Hindu-Muslim, due to which Muslims are feeling uncomfortable, and this is the reason why people are being killed after asking for their identity.”

#10 Mani Shankar Aiyar Blames Partition for Pahalgam – 26 April 2025

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar attributed the Pahalgam terror attack to “unresolved questions of Partition.” Speaking at an event, he suggested that historical issues from 1947 were the root cause of contemporary terrorism.

#11 Siddaramaiah Opposes War, Advocates Security Strengthening – 26 April 2025

Following the Pahalgam attack, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, “There is no need for war with Pakistan. We are not in favor of war. We should take strict steps and strengthen our security.” While advocating for strengthened security, his outright rejection of war as an option, even as a last resort, was seen by critics as signaling a lack of resolve and potentially undermining India’s deterrent posture against a state that sponsors terrorism.

#12 Youth Congress Leader Questions Religious Angle of Attack – 25 April 2025

Youth Congress leader Mohammad Arman questioned the narrative that terrorists targeted victims based on religion in the Pahalgam attack. He posted on social media that giving a “religious angle” was inappropriate, suggesting similar incidents had happened before without a religious motive.

#13 Mumtaz Patel Says ‘Terrorism Has No Religion’ After Pahalgam Attack – 25 April 2025 

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress leader Mumtaz Patel urged people not to communalize the tragedy, emphasizing unity over division. Speaking to reporters, the Congress women’s leader said that “terrorism has no religion” and warned against using such incidents to polarize society.

Her statement came amid heightened tensions and political debate over the attack, which left several civilians dead.

#14 Rahul Gandhi Questions Aircraft Losses in Operation Sindoor – 19 May 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi directly challenged the government over Operation Sindoor, demanding to know how many Indian aircraft were lost. In a post on social media platform X, he stated, “EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling — it’s damning.”

He escalated his allegation by calling the operation a “crime” rather than a lapse.

#15 Revanth Reddy Questions PM Modi on Rafale Losses After Operation Sindoor – 29 May 2025 

At a ‘Jai Hind’ rally in Hyderabad, Telangana Chief Minister and Congress leader Revanth Reddy questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the post-Operation Sindoor ceasefire and alleged losses of Rafale fighter jets. Reddy claimed Pakistan had “downed Rafale jets” and demanded that the Prime Minister disclose how many were lost in action. Accusing Modi of favouring industrial allies in defence deals, he said the government owed the public transparency over the Rafale procurement. During his speech, Reddy controversially referred to Pakistan as “Mana Pakistan” (Our Pakistan), sparking sharp criticism.

#16 Rashid Alvi Questions Government’s Claims After Operation Sindoor – 7 May 2025 

Commenting on Operation Sindoor, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that while India’s armed forces had fulfilled their duty, the government owed the nation greater clarity on the operation’s outcome. Alvi asked whether “every single terrorist was killed” and cautioned that the threat was far from over.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement about eliminating terrorist strongholds, he said if such destruction had truly occurred, it would be commendable — but the government must ensure there is “no next Pahalgam”. Alvi urged stronger and more transparent measures against terrorism.

#17 Congress Leader M Laxman Blames Centre for Security Lapses in Pahalgam Attack – 25 April 2025 

Reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack, Karnataka Congress leader M. Laxman accused the central government of politicising the tragedy ahead of assembly elections in five states. He said the BJP was seeking “cheap publicity” from the incident instead of addressing security failures. Laxman remarked that since the Union government controls key security and police appointments, it must take responsibility for the lapses. He also noted that Muslims were among the victims, calling it a “secular terror attack,” and urged the government to strengthen national security instead of engaging in political blame games.

#18 Charanjit Channi Questions Surgical Strikes – 3 May 2025

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi publicly cast doubt on the authenticity of the 2019 Balakot surgical strikes. He stated, “We have never seen where in Pakistan the strikes were done and where people were killed… Surgical strikes were not seen anywhere.” He admitted to always having demanded proof of the strikes. His comments were seen as aligning with Pakistani rhetoric, which also denies that the strikes occurred, and were criticized for insulting the competence and integrity of the Indian Armed Forces.

#19 Revanth Reddy Questions Authenticity of 2019 Balakot Airstrikes – 10 May 2024 

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy questioned the authenticity of the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, suggesting that “nobody knows for sure if the airstrike took place as claimed.” Speaking at a press conference, the Congress leader criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged intelligence failures leading to the Pulwama attack, accusing the Centre of mishandling national security. Reddy said that had the Congress been in power, internal security would not have been “left in anyone’s hands,” and questioned why key intelligence agencies like the IB and R&AW were not effectively utilised before the Pulwama tragedy.

#20 Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Seeks Proof of Balakot Strikes – 5 February 2024

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded proof of the Balakot airstrikes in Parliament, stating, “What happened in the Balakot airstrikes is still unclear. Where is the proof?” He cited international agencies that had questioned the strikes’ efficacy. This public doubting of the Indian Air Force’s successful operation was seen as undermining military morale and aligning with the narrative of Pakistan and skeptical international voices, rather than supporting India’s strategic actions.

#21 Digvijaya Singh Labels Surgical Strikes “Bogus” – 23 January 2023

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh repeatedly questioned the validity of the Indian Army’s surgical strikes. At a public rally, he termed the government’s claims “bogus,” asserting, “there is no proof.” He accused the government of “ruling with the help of lies.” He said, “They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that
they have killed so many of them (militants) but there is
no proof. The Centre is ruling with the help of lies. I want
to tell you that this country belongs to all of us.” His direct accusation that the military action was fabricated drew fierce condemnation from the ruling BJP and veterans’ groups, who accused him of insulting the armed forces and damaging national morale for political purposes.

#22 Sam Pitroda Questions Balakot Casualty Figures – 22 March 2019

Amid national sentiment supporting the Balakot airstrikes, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda expressed skepticism. Referring to international media reports, he stated, “I would like to know a little more… Did we really kill 300 people? I don’t know that.”

#23 Hariprasad Alleges “Match-Fixing” Between Modi and Imran Khan – 23 March 2019

Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad made a sensational allegation, telling reporters that “there is a match-fixing between Narendra Modi and Imran Khan, or else this Pulwama incident would not have taken place.” This direct insinuation of collusion between the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistani leadership in a terror attack that killed 40 soldiers was condemned as a baseless and treacherous conspiracy theory that crossed all lines of political discourse.

#24 Kamal Nath Demands Balakot Strike Details – 7 March 2019

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath joined other Congress leaders in questioning the Balakot airstrikes, demanding the government disclose specific facts, including the number of casualties and buildings destroyed. He stated, “I don’t understand what’s keeping the government away from disclosing these facts.” This public demand for sensitive operational details was criticized for potentially compromising national security and for echoing the line of questioning taken by international media and Pakistan, rather than standing firmly with the armed forces.

#25 Chidambaram Seeks Clarity on Casualty Figures in Balakot Airstrike – 4 March 2019 

Following India’s Balakot airstrike in Pakistan, former Finance Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram questioned the government’s claim on the number of casualties. In a post on X, he noted that the IAF Vice Air Marshal declined to specify figures, while the MEA statement mentioned no civilian or military deaths, asking, “Who put out the number of casualties at 300–350?” Chidambaram said that while he trusted the government as a citizen, India must provide credible evidence if it wants the international community to believe its claims, instead of engaging in partisan attacks.

#26 Navjot Singh Sidhu Demands Proof of Balakot Airstrike Casualties – 4 March 2019 

Former Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu questioned the government’s claims about the Balakot airstrike, demanding proof of the reported 300 terrorist casualties. In a post on X, Sidhu asked, “300 terrorists dead — yes or no? Were you uprooting terrorists or trees? Was it an election gimmick?” Criticising what he called the politicisation of the armed forces, Sidhu said deceit was being spread “in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy” and urged political leaders to maintain the sanctity of the army, calling it “as sacred as the state itself.”

#27 Congress Questions Casualty Figures of Balakot – 4 March 2019

The Congress party held a press conference where spokesperson R.P.N. Singh highlighted the differing casualty figures from the Balakot strike, asking, “Where are these figures coming from?” He accused the BJP of “blatantly politicising the air strikes.” While questioning the government’s messaging, the public’s focus on the exact “body count” was seen as trivializing the strategic objective of the strike and playing into the hands of those seeking to diminish its impact.

#28 Kapil Sibal Cites International Media on Balakot – 4 March 2019

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal demanded proof of the Balakot airstrikes, citing reports from international media outlets like the New York Times and The Guardian that questioned the damage caused. He stated that the government must “make the effort” to prove its claims “if we want the world to believe.”

#29 Chellakumar Alleges Pulwama was “Orchestrated” by PM Modi – 27 February 2019

Goa Congress leader Chellakumar claimed the Pulwama attack was “orchestrated by PM Modi,” drawing a parallel with unsubstantiated theories about the Godhra incident. He demanded to see the terrorist’s body as proof. These extreme comments, accusing the Prime Minister of India of orchestrating a massacre of security personnel, were widely denounced as seditious and representative of a deeply irresponsible political culture.

#30 Anto Antony Alleges BJP Involvement in Pulwama – 28 February 2024

Congress Leader Anto Antony made the explosive allegation that the BJP was behind the Pulwama attack, questioning how explosives could reach the site without the government’s knowledge. He asked, “How Pakistan could be at fault for an incident happened within Indian borders?” effectively shifting the primary blame from the Pakistan-based terror group to the Indian government. This conspiracy theory was widely condemned as irresponsible and insulting to the memory of the martyred CRPF personnel.

#31 Rahul Gandhi Questions PM Modi Over Ignored Pulwama Intelligence – 16 February 2021 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring prior intelligence warnings before the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Citing a Frontline report, Gandhi alleged that actionable inputs about a possible suicide strike in Jammu and Kashmir were overlooked. He claimed that on the day of the attack, 14 February 2019, the Prime Minister was busy shooting a film, instead of acting on security alerts. Gandhi said the government’s failure to act on credible intelligence led to the death of Indian soldiers and demanded accountability for the lapses that enabled the Pulwama tragedy.

#32 Pawan Khera Questions Government on Pulwama Lapses – 3 March 2019

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera aggressively questioned the government over the Pulwama attack, asking how the explosives reached the area and why a civilian vehicle was allowed near the convoy. He also questioned the Prime Minister’s whereabouts for two hours after the attack. While demanding accountability, the tone and timing of the questions were seen as attempting to shift the blame entirely onto the Indian government, potentially deflecting attention from the role of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

#33 Rahul Gandhi Implies PM Modi Benefited from Pulwama – 14 February 2020

Marking the first anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised questions over the government’s accountability and transparency. In a post on X, Gandhi asked, “Who benefitted the most from the attack? What is the outcome of the inquiry? Who in the BJP government has been held accountable for the security lapses?”

#34 Congress Questions Government Over Pulwama Intelligence – 21 February 2019

Following the Pulwama terror attack, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala questioned the government’s intelligence apparatus. He asked, “Is our Intelligence so weak under Ajit Doval that terrorists were able to carry 350kg of explosives through the most protected highway in the country?” He further probed how the terrorists knew the convoy’s route, suggesting an intelligence breach. While demanding accountability, this line of questioning was criticized for focusing blame on the Indian government’s failures rather than squarely on the Pakistani-based terrorists who executed the attack.

#35 Congress Blames Modi Government for Leadership Failure in Uri Attack – 19 September 2016 

Following the terror attack on an Army camp in Uri, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala held the Narendra Modi government responsible, calling it a “failure of political leadership.” In a series of posts on X, Surjewala said India’s Pakistan policy was “confused and contradictory”, citing the decision to invite Pakistan’s ISI to probe the Pathankot attack as evidence. He questioned why India continued to face repeated terror strikes under the Modi government and asserted that the Defence Minister must be held accountable for ongoing lapses in border and national security.

#36 Navjot Singh Sidhu Says ‘Terrorism Has No Religion or Nationality’ After Pulwama Attack – 15 February 2019 

Following the Pulwama terror attack, former Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu condemned the violence but said that terrorism should not be linked to any country or religion. Calling the incident a “cowardly attack,” Sidhu said the perpetrators must be brought to justice but stressed that “taking someone’s life is not a solution.” He added, “Terrorism has no religion, no caste, no party, and no nation.” His remarks, perceived as giving a clean chit to Pakistan, sparked widespread backlash, especially as India blamed Pakistan-based groups for the deadly attack on CRPF personnel.

#37 Navjot Sidhu Praises Imran Khan as “Farishta” – 26 November 2018

On the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu referred to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as a “Farishta” (angel). He also credited Khan for the Kartarpur Corridor initiative. Praising the leader of a nation that India holds responsible for harboring the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks was seen as a grave error in judgment and deeply hurtful to the sentiments of the victims’ families and the nation at large.

#38 Sanjay Nirupam Demands Proof for Surgical Strikes – 4 October 2016

After the 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam called the government’s claims “fake.” He demanded that the Centre provide proof, arguing that without it, Pakistan was able to insult India on international platforms. He accused the government of taking political advantage of the soldiers’ sacrifices. This demand for proof set a precedent for Congress leaders publicly doubting the word of the Indian military establishment.

#39 P. Chidambaram Questions Surgical Strike Proof – 4 October 2016

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram stated that since the government had taken “political ownership” of the surgical strikes, it was natural for people to demand the release of video proof. He commented, “I am sure the government has thought through the consequences of taking the political ownership for a purely military action.” This was seen as a sophisticated but clear demand for proof, setting the stage for the party’s prolonged questioning of the operation’s authenticity.

#40 Rahul Gandhi’s “Khoon Ki Dalali” Accusation – 6 October 2016

In a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi accused him of “Khoon Ki Dalali” (brokerage of blood) over the 2016 surgical strikes. He alleged that the PM was hiding behind the blood of soldiers and profiting from their sacrifice for political gains. He said, “Hamare jawaan hain jinhone khoon diya
hai, jinhone surgical strike kiya, unke khoon ke peechhe
aap (PM) chhupe hue ho. Unki dalali kar rahe ho…Yeh
bilkul ghalat hai…Hindustan ki sena ne Hindustan ka
kaam kiya, aap apna kaam keejiye.”

#41 Mani Shankar Aiyar Questions Surgical Strikes, Urges Dialogue – 14 November 2016

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar questioned the utility of surgical strikes, Referring to Prime Minister Modi, Aiyar said those who have guts to conduct surgical strikes, seem to have no
guts in holding dialogue and resolving the issue. “If they
had sat for dialogue, things would not have turned that
ugly in Kashmir,” Aiyar said. “How many surgical strikes will they conduct? The number of surgical strikes on Pakistan for occupying
Kashmir is more than the terror attacks by them on Kashmir in India. But the consequences of attack remains the same. Both are increasing,” Aiyar said. “If Modi has the courage, he should go to Kashmir and talk” Aiyar said.

#42 Randeep Surjewala Calls Uri Attack a “Political Leadership Failure” – 19 September 2016

After the Uri terror attack, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala blamed the Modi government directly, calling it a “political leadership failure.” Surjewala said that, “Decision to invite ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) to investigate Pathankot terror attack manifested two glaring flaws in Modi government’s
Pakistan policy — confused and confused. India’s borders and national security has been under siege for last two years. Defence Minister should be held accountable,” Surjewala added. He criticized the government’s Pakistan policy as “confused” and cited the decision to invite the ISI to investigate the Pathankot attack as a flaw.

#43 A.K. Antony Blames Modi Government for Security Lapse in Uri Attack – 18 September 2016 

Following the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 17 soldiers, Congress leader A.K. Antony blamed the Narendra Modi government for what he called a “serious security lapse.” Speaking to reporters, the former Defence Minister said the incident reflected failures in preventing militant infiltration and securing military installations. Antony noted that the attack came soon after the Pathankot airbase strike, where militants similarly breached a high-security zone. Warning that the Kashmir situation was “drifting toward dangerous propositions,” Antony urged the government to strengthen border security and take accountability for repeated intelligence and defence lapses.

#44 Kapil Sibal on Dialogue with Pakistan Post-Sarabjit – 4 May 2013

After the death of Indian citizen Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani jail, Congress leader Kapil Sibal argued against suspending dialogue with Pakistan. He stated, “We are upset. But that does not mean that on that ground alone, we should break off our dialogue with Pakistan.” Sibal had said, “You (Pakistan) should have protected
Sarabjit because he was in your jail, just like we
protected Kasab.”

#45 Manmohan Singh’s Cautious Stance Post-26/11 – 23 December 2008

In the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Congress party emphasized diplomatic over military responses. He stated, “The issue is not war. The issue is that the Pakistani territory is used to aid and abet terror.” He urged Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure and comply with UN resolutions. While diplomatically sound, this cautious approach was criticized as being weak and failing to deliver a strong enough deterrent to Pakistan, especially compared to later military responses under a different government.

#46 Digvijaya Singh Alleges RSS Link to 26/11 – 28 December 2010

In a highly controversial move, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh promoted a theory that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He released a book titled “26/11 RSS Ki Saazish?” and claimed that slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare had expressed fears from “Hindu extremists” hours before his death. This allegation, which mirrored Pakistani propaganda seeking to shift blame from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, was widely condemned as a baseless and malicious attack on a nationalist organization.

#47 Vijay Wadettiwar’s Allegation on Hemant Karkare’s Death – 5 May 2024

Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar made a shocking allegation that Hemant Karkare, the ATS chief martyred during the 26/11 attacks, was not killed by terrorist Ajmal Kasab but by “an RSS-affiliated cop.” He further called public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam a “traitor” for suppressing this alleged fact. This baseless claim, which contradicted all official evidence and court findings, caused a national uproar and was seen as a deeply irresponsible attempt to rewrite history for political motives.

#48 Salman Khurshid on Sonia Gandhi and Batla House – 9 February 2012

Congress leader Salman Khurshid revealed that party president Sonia Gandhi “wept bitterly” after being shown images from the Batla House encounter, a police operation against suspected terrorists. Khurshid stated that this led to efforts for a judicial inquiry, which were paused due to elections. The portrayal of grief over an anti-terror operation, rather than unequivocal support for the police, was seen as sympathy for the suspects and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the encounter

#49 Sonia Gandhi Blames Government for Parliament Attack – 20 December 2001

Just days after the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, Congress President Sonia Gandhi attributed the breach to a failure of the central government. She called it a “failure to act upon available intelligence,” drawing a parallel with the Kargil conflict. Sonia Gandhi had said that “it is distressing that the
government showed itself so ill-prepared for the attack
notwithstanding advance intelligence furnished among
others by our state government in Maharashtra.” she
said that it was the “failure of the intelligence which led
to tragedy of Kargil. it is again the failure to act upon
available intelligence which lies at the root of the attack
on parliament”.

#50 Shashi Tharoor Criticizes Afzal Guru’s Hanging – 9 February 2015

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly criticized the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, which was carried out by the Congress-led UPA government. He tweeted that the hanging was “wrong & badly handled,” suggesting his family should have been warned and his body returned. Tharoor posted on Feb 9, 2015, “I think the hanging was both wrong & badly handled. Family should have been warned, given a last meeting & body returned.”

#51 Congress’s Stance on Kargil War Commemoration – 26 July 2009

After coming to power in 2004, the Congress-led UPA government did not officially commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas for the first five years of its tenure. Congress MP Rashid Alvi explicitly stated that “Kargil isn’t a thing to be celebrated,” arguing that the war was fought on Indian territory due to an intelligence failure.

#52 Congress Leaders Apologize for Afzal Guru’s Hanging – 7 February 2015

Five Congress MLAs from Jammu & Kashmir issued a written apology for the way Afzal Guru was executed by the Congress-led UPA government. They stated that not allowing his family a final meeting was a “mistake” and demanded the return of his mortal remains, calling it a “humanitarian issue.” This apology to the family of a man convicted of attacking the symbol of Indian democracy was widely condemned as an act of political appeasement and a gross insult to the victims and the security forces.

#53 P. Chidambaram Questions Afzal Guru’s Conviction – 25 February 2016

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram cast doubt on the judicial process that led to the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. He stated, “I think it is possible to hold an honest opinion that the Afzal Guru case was perhaps not correctly decided.” Speaking on the Afzal issue, Chidambaram said it was not
possible for him to raise doubts over the court’s judgement while being in the government. He was the finance minister at the time when Afzal Guru was hanged.

#54 Prakash Jaiswal Forgets Kargil War Date – 26 July 2009

Former Minister of State for Home Affairs and Congress leader, Prakash Jaiswal, displayed a shocking lack of awareness about the Kargil War. When asked about Kargil Vijay Diwas, he could not recall when the war was fought. This lapse was seen as symbolic of the Congress party’s perceived disregard for a significant chapter in India’s military history, especially given their simultaneous reluctance to officially commemorate the victory during their tenure.

#55 Ravinder Sharma Calls Kargil an NDA Intelligence Failure – 27 July 2014
JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma stated that the Kargil War was a result of an “intelligence failure” and a “diplomatic defeat” for the then NDA government. By framing a war in which the Indian military achieved a hard-fought victory primarily as a failure of the ruling party, the Congress was accused of politicizing a moment of national sacrifice and unity, and of tarnishing the legacy of the soldiers who fought and died to reclaim Indian territory.

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