Govt buckled under pressure, betrayed expectations of country: Congress leader

The Indian defence forces have once again demonstrated their strength, but the government’s weak willpower has undermined their morale and given in to international pressure, said Prem Kaushal, chief spokesperson of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, at a press conference on Tuesday.

He praised the Indian Army’s bold response to the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, stating that it had reaffirmed the military’s reputation as one of the finest in the world. “The country is proud of our soldiers for their decisive action,” Kaushal said.

However, he criticised the Centre for what he described as a premature ceasefire decision, allegedly made under pressure from US President Donald Trump. “People were hopeful that the government would strike a final blow to Pakistan and its terror machinery, but instead, Pakistan was given a safe passage,” he alleged.

Kaushal said 140 crore Indians, including opposition parties like the Congress, stood in complete solidarity with the government and had expected a firm and lasting retaliation. “But the government let them down. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to agree to a ceasefire has dented India’s image on the global stage,” he added.

Drawing a historical comparison, he said, “This is why people remember Indira Gandhi for her courage during the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Modi should have taken a cue from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who despite leading a small, war-torn nation, had the courage to speak firmly with global powers.”

Kaushal accused Prime Minister Modi of failing as a diplomatic leader and not living up to the trust the people had placed in him during a critical time. “The entire nation stood behind him, but he could not stand up to their expectations,” he concluded.

Himachal Tribune