BJP accuses Congress of passivity on terror, sparks political row

The Congress sought clarification from the BJP-led government on Saturday after the saffron party accused the former UPA government of “passivity" over terror attacks from Pakistan on Indian soil during its tenure.

While the saffron party hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking action against Pakistan for conducting terror strikes on India.

Opposition parties, including Congress, have been standing behind the government since 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

Nearly two weeks after the attack, India launched “Operation Sindoor" to avenge the Pahalgam attack. The government said nine terror targets were hit inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Tensions have escalated between the two countries in recent days. Taking to its social media account on X, BJP shared a short clip with a message: “The message to the enemies is loud and clear. Don’t mess with us. Unlike the UPA regime’s passivity, New India has no patience for futile peace talks." It also included a hashtag of “Operation Sindoor." The video begins with an English pop music blaring in the background, “30 years of pain."

The video refers to the 2005 Delhi blasts, saying “62 plus dead." Then a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerges in the background with the text reading: “to send every terrorist to hell."

In a jibe at Congress, with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s picture in the background, the text reads: “peace talks." The video also refers to the 2006 Mumbai train blasts, then mentioning 2007 peace talks and then 2008 Mumbai attacks, saying “166 plus dead." Text in the video then reads: “No retaliation, no lesson taught."

It also refers to the 2010 Pune attacks and peace talks; 2011 Delhi attacks and peace talks, and 2013 Hyderabad attacks and peace talks, before English pop changes to Hindi with the picture of PM Modi again emerging as text reads: “No more talks. No more peace with a terror-supporting nation. He is on a mission."

Reacting to it, Congress leader Pawan Khera, who is also the chairman of the party’s media department, said, “So do we have to do politics now? Is it time to do politics? Doesn’t the government need the support of the opposition? Do we not have to give a message of unity now? The government and BJP should clarify."

MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor termed the BJP’s action as “petty attempt" meant to create political division in the current times.

“At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way — after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016. It is only then that it took to the path of military action, carefully calibrated and maturely conducted. This advertisement is neither appropriate nor mature. Delete it, please, “Tharoor said on X.

India