NEW DELHI – On July 29, 2025, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gave a powerful and emotional speech in the Lok Sabha. She questioned the security complacency that led to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack and harshly criticized the BJP-led NDA government for how it handles national security and keeps shifting blame.
Vadra spoke straight to the treasury benches during the current debate about “Operation Sindoor,” India’s military response to the Pahalgam tragedy. She said, “My mother’s tears were not for terrorists.” They fell when they slaughtered my father. I talk about the 26 individuals who died in Pahalgam today because I know what it’s like to be in pain. Her statements were a strong response to what Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said earlier. Shah had brought up comments made by former Union Minister Salman Khurshid in 2008 that suggested Sonia Gandhi had broken down over images from the Batla House encounter. Shah said, “The terrorists didn’t deserve tears; Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma did.” It’s bad.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra then talked about the attack at Pahalgam itself. “The defense minister spoke for more over an hour yesterday. He talked about terrorism and national security in a history class. But one question still needed to be answered: “How did this attack happen?” She asked, which went against what the administration said.
She pushed harder on the security holes: “Why wasn’t there even one security guard in Baisaran Valley when the terrorists attacked? What were they [the terrorists] doing there? And if the administration was telling people that Kashmir was safe, why did they let 26 civilians perish without any protection?
Vadra read from a piece of paper the names of the 26 people who died in Pahalgam. Some BJP MPs chanted “Hindu, Hindu,” while the Opposition benches yelled back “Indian! Indian!” This made the House heated. All of the victims were men, and 25 of them were Hindu. “This government was responsible for those 26 civilians going to Baisaran.” “But the government put them in God’s hands,” Vadra said.
She talked about how dangerous The Resistance Front (TRF), the group that is thought to be behind the attack, is and pointed out that it was formed in 2019. “Since then, they have slain police officers, army officials, and civilians. In 2023, they were merely called a terrorist group. What were security and intelligence agencies up to? Has any official quit because of this security breach? She asked the government about its chronology and who was responsible.
Vadra also attacked BJP MPs who stopped her speech by bringing up Jawaharlal Nehru and old complaints. “You talk about the past, and we talk about the present. “Take some responsibility,” she replied. “You’ve been in charge for 11 years.” She said, “After 26/11, the Maharashtra chief minister and home minister resigned,” which was different from how things used to be. They eliminated all the terrorists right away. “This government wants all the credit but won’t take any blame.”
Her comments were made during a heated debate, with the Opposition saying that accountability for security failures, not just military optics, should be the main point of the debate. Vadra also asked about the terms of the recent truce with Pakistan, which US President Donald Trump controversially said he had helped to set up. “If Pakistan had no choice but to give up, why did this war end?” Why did the US President call for a ceasefire? “You say you believe in strong nationalism, but when I ask you who didn’t protect Indian civilians on Indian soil, you don’t answer,” she said.
Several MPs from the Opposition showed their support by banging their desks during her passionate speech, while MPs from the BJP tried to shout her down. Vadra said, “The government doesn’t want to answer any questions.” “It’s all about the publicity, not the people.” Every problem is a chance for PR. But where is the responsibility? Where is the duty?