NEW DELHI: Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a lack of seriousness in responding to the Pahalgam terror attack , accusing the government of prioritising political optics over accountability.
During a heated discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge criticised the Prime Minister for skipping the all-party meeting on the attack, saying, “We attended the meeting (all-party), but you went to Bihar for election campaigning. Is that your patriotism?... He should have been in the House today and heard us. If you do not have the capability to hear, you are not capable of holding that post.”
Kharge recalled the leadership shown by Prime Minister Nehru during the 1962 India-China war. “In 1962, when the India-China war was ongoing, Nehru ji called a special session at the request of a few opposition MPs… That was our democracy. These people neither call a special session nor bring the truth to light,” he said.
He also referred to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s admission of a security failure in Pahalgam, arguing the responsibility should lie with the Union Home Minister. “The Home Minister should take responsibility, not the Lt Governor,” Kharge insisted. He questioned whether Sinha’s remarks were aimed at deflecting blame from Amit Shah.
Kharge accused the government of repeated national security failures, citing the 2016 Uri and Pathankot attacks, the 2019 Pulwama bombing, and now Pahalgam in 2025. “All these incidents make it clear that there is a recurring intelligence failure... Who is responsible for this? Vacate your post if you are. If not, what action is the PM taking?” he demanded.
He also criticised the government for ignoring suggestions and failing to release a report on the Pahalgam incident. “The government should come out with a report, just as one was issued after the Kargil war,” Kharge said, accusing the administration of being arrogant and dismissive towards Opposition voices.
On the foreign policy front, Kharge warned against turning diplomacy into spectacle. “Foreign policy is not 'event-baazi',” he said, adding that national security needed long-term strategy, not just showmanship.
Kharge concluded by expressing disappointment in the government's attitude, claiming that while the Opposition stood united with the government on national security, Modi continued to vilify rival parties on the campaign trail. “We stood behind the government, but Modi ji attacks Opposition parties in poll rallies,” he said.
His remarks came as defence minister Rajnath Singh defended Operation Sindoor and congratulated Indian forces for killing three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. Singh said the operation had been suspended, not ended, and could be resumed if needed. However, Kharge’s pointed criticism ensured that questions around responsibility, accountability and leadership dominated the day’s proceedings.
During a heated discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge criticised the Prime Minister for skipping the all-party meeting on the attack, saying, “We attended the meeting (all-party), but you went to Bihar for election campaigning. Is that your patriotism?... He should have been in the House today and heard us. If you do not have the capability to hear, you are not capable of holding that post.”
Kharge recalled the leadership shown by Prime Minister Nehru during the 1962 India-China war. “In 1962, when the India-China war was ongoing, Nehru ji called a special session at the request of a few opposition MPs… That was our democracy. These people neither call a special session nor bring the truth to light,” he said.
He also referred to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s admission of a security failure in Pahalgam, arguing the responsibility should lie with the Union Home Minister. “The Home Minister should take responsibility, not the Lt Governor,” Kharge insisted. He questioned whether Sinha’s remarks were aimed at deflecting blame from Amit Shah.
Kharge accused the government of repeated national security failures, citing the 2016 Uri and Pathankot attacks, the 2019 Pulwama bombing, and now Pahalgam in 2025. “All these incidents make it clear that there is a recurring intelligence failure... Who is responsible for this? Vacate your post if you are. If not, what action is the PM taking?” he demanded.
He also criticised the government for ignoring suggestions and failing to release a report on the Pahalgam incident. “The government should come out with a report, just as one was issued after the Kargil war,” Kharge said, accusing the administration of being arrogant and dismissive towards Opposition voices.
On the foreign policy front, Kharge warned against turning diplomacy into spectacle. “Foreign policy is not 'event-baazi',” he said, adding that national security needed long-term strategy, not just showmanship.
Kharge concluded by expressing disappointment in the government's attitude, claiming that while the Opposition stood united with the government on national security, Modi continued to vilify rival parties on the campaign trail. “We stood behind the government, but Modi ji attacks Opposition parties in poll rallies,” he said.
His remarks came as defence minister Rajnath Singh defended Operation Sindoor and congratulated Indian forces for killing three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. Singh said the operation had been suspended, not ended, and could be resumed if needed. However, Kharge’s pointed criticism ensured that questions around responsibility, accountability and leadership dominated the day’s proceedings.
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