The Congress party on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him of giving a clean chit to Pakistan during his recent remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. The opposition party dubbed his comments as 'anti-national' and demanded an explanation from the government.
Congress's Allegations
In a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that Rajnath Singh's statement at the SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he said Pakistan should be given a chance to improve, amounted to undermining India's longstanding position on cross-border terrorism. Khera said, 'The Defence Minister's remarks are a betrayal of the sacrifices made by our soldiers and citizens in the fight against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.'
Rajnath Singh's SCO Remarks
During the SCO meeting, Rajnath Singh had stated, 'Pakistan should be given a chance to improve its behavior and stop supporting terrorism. We believe in dialogue and diplomacy.' This statement was seen by the Congress as a departure from the BJP's earlier hardline stance against Pakistan.
The Congress leader also questioned the timing of the remarks, coming just days after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control. 'This is not the time to give concessions to Pakistan. The Defence Minister's words are anti-national and weaken our security posture,' Khera added.
Political Reactions
The BJP, however, defended Rajnath Singh, stating that his comments were in line with India's consistent policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism while keeping channels of communication open. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, 'The Congress is twisting the Defence Minister's words for political gain. India's position on Pakistan remains firm.'
Meanwhile, other opposition parties have also criticized the government, with some calling for a parliamentary debate on the issue. The controversy has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the government's diplomatic strategy.
Previous Stances
This is not the first time the Congress has accused the BJP of being soft on Pakistan. In 2019, after the Pulwama attack, the Congress had criticized the government for not taking stronger action against Pakistan. However, the current accusation comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations are particularly strained.
The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarify the government's position on Pakistan and whether Rajnath Singh's remarks reflect official policy. The party has also threatened to raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session.
