New Delhi [India], May 14: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government, accusing it of betraying the nation by agreeing to a ceasefire with Pakistan, thereby losing a critical opportunity to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
“Our armed forces risked their lives to defeat the enemy, and Pakistan was scared and worried. This was the time to reclaim PoK. By agreeing to a ceasefire, you have betrayed the country,” Bharadwaj told ANI.
Referring to past statements by BJP and RSS leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharadwaj alleged that the government repeated historical mistakes by failing to act decisively during a key military advantage. “Even Amit Shah has said that had Bharat delayed the ceasefire, PoK could have been ours. The same mistake has been repeated by the BJP,” he added.
AAP workers also held a protest near Modi Flour Mills in Okhla, New Delhi, condemning the ceasefire decision. Protesters held banners with slogans like “PoK ka chhodda mauka, Modi ka desh ka dhokha” (Opportunity lost on taking PoJK, Modi’s betrayal of the nation).
The backlash comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation reportedly killed over 100 militants affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan responded with shelling and drone strikes, to which India retaliated by targeting strategic military infrastructure across 11 Pakistani airbases.
However, on May 10, both nations agreed to a cessation of hostilities.
Adding to the criticism, AAP leader Sanjay Singh questioned the ceasefire and the influence of US President Donald Trump on the decision-making. He posted on X:
“PM Modi ji, tell me at 8 pm tonight: Where are the brutal terrorists who destroyed the vermilion of the sisters in Pahalgam? When our brave army could have captured PoK, separated Balochistan from Pakistan, and destroyed 21 terrorist hideouts, why did you declare a ceasefire under Trump’s pressure?”
Singh also condemned Trump’s comments suggesting increased trade and mediation on Kashmir, stating, “Modi Ji, for 78 years we’ve rejected any third-party mediation. Why did you let Trump interfere now.