New Delhi [India], May 29: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, accusing him of diverting national attention from China-related security concerns by “politicizing” Operation Sindoor and engaging in “filmy dialogue-baazi.”
Ramesh said,
“Pandit Nehru died more than 60 years ago. Pandit Nehru is history; we do not want to go into history… The Prime Minister had given a clean chit to China on June 19, 2020. How is the relationship between China and Pakistan today?”
He slammed the lack of government transparency on China and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that the Prime Minister remains silent on crucial national security matters while actively campaigning on military action for electoral gains.
Key Points from Jairam Ramesh’s Remarks:
- Operation Sindoor being politicized:
Ramesh accused PM Modi of using Operation Sindoor, a recent military retaliation against terrorism, as a political tool rather than addressing the broader strategic challenges India faces. - No serious engagement on China-Pak threats:
He emphasized that the China-Pakistan nexus, especially regarding PoK, is deepening and yet the government avoids serious parliamentary discourse on this matter. - Demand for special Parliament session ignored:
Ramesh revealed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi wrote to the PM on May 10, requesting a special session of Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution—similar to the one passed on February 22, 1994—on PoK and terrorism. - All-party meetings seen as formalities:
He criticised two prior all-party meetings, chaired by the Defence Minister, as “mere formalities” that yielded no substantial dialogue or strategy.
“The questions we asked were constructive, serious, and sensitive. But there was no response. The PM is silent while holding rallies and giving dramatic speeches,” Ramesh said.
Context: Operation Sindoor and Political Tensions
Operation Sindoor was launched in early May following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure across the LoC and in PoK, resulting in over 100 militant casualties. While the move was praised internationally for its precision, the Congress has accused the government of exploiting national security for electoral benefit.
Call for Parliamentary Unity
Ramesh reiterated the need for a collective national response, stressing the importance of unity across parties in the face of rising regional threats:
“We must show the world that we are united. We need to pass a resolution unanimously just like in 1994. This government must stop evading accountability.”