NEW DELHI: For the Congress, it is perhaps an unfortunate sense of deja vu. The grand old party has once again been pushed to the backfoot with some motormouths making insensitive and unwarranted statements on the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians.
While the Congress leadership has been trying to make that delicate balance between support to the government in the fight against terror and simultaneously questioning any of its attempts to gain political mileage, irresponsible remarks by some have forced the party to distance itself from these leaders.
On Monday, the Congress distanced itself from the controversial comments of some of its leaders on the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that only the recent CWC resolution and the views expressed by AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and authorised AICC office-bearers represent its position.
“Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the Congress’ views,” Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
“There should be absolutely no doubt whatsoever at this most sensitive of times that the CWC resolution, the views expressed by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and the views of authorised AICC office-bearers ALONE represent the position of the Congress (sic),” Ramesh said.
So, why was the Congress forced to issue such a statement? Here is what some of the party leaders said on the Pahalgam attack:
Vijay Wadettiwar
“We are being told that terrorists ascertained religion and then killed people. Do terrorists even have so much time to go close to someone and whisper in ears? It is highly controversial, because some are claiming such things did happen while others are denying it. Do not plan anything around it. Terrorists do not have caste or religion.”
Mani Shankar Aiyar
“Is that the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy… in Pahalgam on April 22? He further questioned whether Muslims in India today feel “accepted, cherished and celebrated,” noting that differences in value systems among leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and others had led to Partition.
Shashi Tharoor
“Obviously, there was no full proof intelligence. There was some failure… But we have got the example of Israel, the world’s best intelligence services according to everybody, which were taken by surprise on October 7, just two years ago. It seems to me, just as Israel is waiting till the end of the war before they demand accountability, similarly, I think we too should see the present crisis through and then demand accountability from the government. No country can ever have a foolproof 100 per cent intelligence.”
Saifuddin Soz
“What happened in Pahalgam was tragic and unacceptable. Every Indian should adopt the line that the Prime Minister has adopted. If Pakistan says it is not involved, let us accept that argument for now and rely on our investigating agencies, who will know better. India and Pakistan are two neighbours; the neighbourhood cannot be changed, whatever you do. Ultimately, what will prevail between India and Pakistan is dialogue. Dialogue and discussion. No military solution, no arms, no sword. Nothing will work except word of mouth, that is dialogue.”
One can look at some of these statements and know why the grand old party was forced to firefight once again. The BJP was quick to allege that some from the opposition party were speaking “Pakistan’s language”.
The BJP questioned Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday over the comments of several of their colleagues, some of whom have questioned the need for a war with Pakistan and the Pahalgam terror attack victims’ account that the terrorists had marked out non-Muslims, asking if their call for national unity was merely a formality.
“Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party? Or both of them made pro-forma comments while letting others the freedom to speak as they wished?” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad asked, adding that the remarks of the opposition leaders are being used in Pakistan, including by its media, to defame India. Has any warning been given to these Congress leaders or have they been asked to apologise, Prasad asked of the opposition party’s leadership.
Ironically, it was businessman Robert Vadra, who is the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, who had made the first discordant remark by linking the Pahalgam terror attack to BJP government’s Hindutva push. Vadra on Monday clarified his remarks and stated that his intentions were “misinterpreted”, further stating that it was his responsibility to clarify them.
Taking to Facebook, he wrote in a post “Because my intentions have been misinterpreted, I understand it is my responsibility to clarify them. I am committed to clarifying myself with honesty, transparency, and respect. I decided to wait in silence for a few days, but this should not be construed as silence, indifference or lack of patriotism. In fact, it is because of my deep love for my country, my deep respect for truth and my commitment to dedication that I took the time to reflect before speaking.”
From 2014, when Mani Shankar Aiyar had put the party on the backfoot with his derogatory remarks on the then BJP’s PM candidate to today when some Congress leaders have put the party on the backfoot with their remarks, not much has changed for the grand-old-party. What is worrying is the lack of action against the habitual offenders.
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