New Delhi: A fierce political face-off has erupted over Congress leader P Chidambaram’s recent remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, as the BJP accused him of giving a “clean chit” to Pakistan and undermining India’s national security narrative ahead of the crucial Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament.
In an interview, Chidambaram questioned the official version of the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, by asking whether the government had identified the terrorists or confirmed their origins. “For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that,” he said.
The former Home Minister also accused the government of withholding details about the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) probe and of concealing the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory strike. “In any war, both sides suffer losses. Britain was upfront about its losses during World War II. Why can’t we be honest?” he asked.
Chidambaram further questioned the government’s silence on the reported role of former US President Donald Trump in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “If Trump helped mediate the ceasefire, why not admit it?” he asked, pointing out contradictions between Pakistan’s statements and India’s reticence.
The BJP reacted strongly to his comments. Party leader Amit Malviya slammed Chidambaram, calling him the “original proponent” of the ‘Saffron Terror’ theory and accusing him of echoing Pakistan’s talking points. “Once again, Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan. Every time our forces confront terrorism from across the border, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad’s defence lawyers,” Malviya said.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed this sentiment, saying, “From 26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam, Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath!” He accused the Congress of consistently compromising on national security for political convenience.
Chidambaram, in response to the backlash, accused his critics of selective quoting. “Trolls suppress the full interview, isolate two sentences, mute key words, and paint the speaker in the worst light,” he said, defending his stance and calling for a more transparent national discourse.
The controversy has set the stage for a heated debate in Parliament over Operation Sindoor, with both the government and the opposition expected to lock horns over the ceasefire decision and the broader handling of the Pahalgam attack.
Adding to the political firestorm, Congress MP Imran Masood defended Chidambaram and turned the tables on the BJP. “It was this government that stopped the counter-offensive. Terrorists are still alive, and you’ve brought India and Pakistan onto the same level internationally. That’s the real shame,” he said.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
