Minister’s outburst against Centre sparks backlash

Contrary to the stance of the Congress’s central and state leadership, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar's remarks against the Modi-led Central government regarding the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam sparked strong reactions in Kangra district. A video clip of the minister’s statement, made in Paonta Sahib recently, is circulating on social media. In it, he stated that the whole world was “spitting on the law and order conditions in India”. He further commented that retaliation should not involve cutting off water and electricity to other countries.

Without directly naming the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan, Chander Kumar appeared to criticise the Government of India's decision to suspend the treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack. He also questioned the Centre’s tendency to blame other countries for such attacks, asserting that “we need to set our own house in order.”

During an all-party meeting held in Delhi on Thursday, all Opposition parties expressed their full support for any action the Central government might take in response to the brutal killing of tourists and a local resident in Pahalgam. Even Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and AICC in-charge Rajni Patil, while participating in a candle march, reiterated their support for the Centre and refrained from making any political statements.

Reacting sharply, Kangra MP Rajiv Bhardwaj said the minister’s comments were purely political and highly inappropriate. He added that when the Congress and other political parties were united in supporting the Centre on such a grave national issue, there was no justification for Chander Kumar’s remarks. “At a time when the nation is mourning the loss of innocent lives in Pahalgam and awaiting a strong response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, such statements are unwarranted,” Bhardwaj said.