Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress during a heated Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, accusing the opposition party of relying on Pakistan to frame its political narratives and compromising repeatedly on matters of national security.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi alleged that some Congress leaders politicised the tragedy, giving what he described as a “clean chit to Pakistan”. “India is advancing toward self-reliance, while the Congress party, unfortunately, continues to rely on Pakistan for political narratives,” he said, criticizing the party’s approach as outdated and externally influenced.
Citing the government’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the April terror attack, the Prime Minister blamed previous Congress-led governments for neglecting the agreement. “Mistakes made during Nehru ji’s era were never corrected by the Congress. We have now acted decisively, stating firmly that blood and water cannot flow together,” he said.
Accusing the Congress of “appeasement politics”, PM Modi said the party’s inaction allowed terrorism to flourish during its tenure. “Due to the weak governments of Congress, we lost countless lives. Terrorism could have been stopped earlier. Our government’s success in the last 11 years is proof of what effective governance can achieve,” he asserted.
He also targeted Congress leadership for not fielding its own senior MPs—many of whom were part of earlier all-party delegations—during the Operation Sindoor discussion, suggesting that some were “prohibited from speaking in the House.”
The Prime Minister criticized Congress MP Praniti Shinde’s now-expunged remark labelling the military operation a “tamasha” (spectacle), calling it deeply disrespectful to the memory of the 26 civilians killed by terrorists. “It is like rubbing acid into the wounds of those who died,” he said.
Responding to Congress questions about the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor, Modi retorted, “Those who ask why PoK wasn’t taken back should first answer who allowed Pakistan to take it in the first place.”
Quoting a famous line, he said, “Lamhon ne khata ki, sadiyon ne saza paayi” (A mistake made in moments, punished for centuries), emphasizing that India is still paying the price for past policy errors.
Concluding his address, PM Modi reiterated that India seeks peace, but from a position of strength. “We are the land of Buddha, not of yuddha (war), but the road to peace and prosperity runs through strength.”
The Lok Sabha discussion on Operation Sindoor concluded Tuesday and will continue in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
