BJP slams Cong over its leaders' 'insensitive' remarks on Pahalgam attack

The BJP on Monday targeted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether their calls for national unity were merely a "formality" amid alleged controversial remarks made by several of their colleagues following the Pahalgam terror attack.

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Addressing a press conference, former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also lashed out at Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, criticising his refusal to personally visit the grieving family of Shubham Dwivedi — one of the 26 persons killed by terrorists at Pahalgam.

Calling this the "height of insensitivity," Prasad noted that several Congress leaders had also questioned the survivors’ accounts that the terrorists specifically targeted non-Muslims.

He named Congress figures, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Karnataka minister RB Timmapur and Robert Vadra for their controversial statements.

"Do Rahul and Kharge have no control over their party? Or were their statements of solidarity merely formalities while allowing others a free hand to speak irresponsibly?" said Prasad, accusing the opposition of providing ammunition to Pakistan’s media to defame India.

He questioned whether the Congress leadership had warned or sought an apology from those making such remarks.

Citing examples, Prasad said former Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Saifuddin Soz criticised India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, arguing that it would hurt Pakistan's lifeline, and even urged India to consider Pakistan’s claim of non-involvement in the attack.