- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday clarified that the party does not agree with the controversial remarks made recently by its leaders on the Pahalgam terror attack. He termed the remarks as the leader’s personal opinion. The distancing comes as several Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah stirred row, after the party leadership pledged full support to the Centre in this time of crisis.
The terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam targeted tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepalese national. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.
"...It is right that some leaders of the Congress party are saying several things, but this is their personal opinion. I want to make it clear that no one has given them the right to say all this...The Congress party has nothing to do with these statements, and the party does not agree with such statements,” said Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Jairam Ramesh stated that only the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution and statements made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi represent the party’s view.
“What individual Congress leaders are saying is their personal view. The Congress party’s view is reflected in the CWC resolution and the statements by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi,” Jairam Ramesh posted on X.
Siddaramaiah’s Remark
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sparked a controversy after he said that there was no need to wage a war against Pakistan. "Strict security measures must be initiated. We are not in favour of waging war. There should be peace, people must feel secure, and the central government should ensure effective security arrangements," he said.
Pointing to Pakistani media coverage of Siddaramaiah’s ‘not in favour of war’ remark, BJP called him a ‘Pakistan Ratna’. However, the Congress veteran clarified today that he "never said we should not go to war".
"I never said we should never go to war with Pakistan, I just said war is not the solution. Protection should have been given to the tourists. Whose responsibility is this? I have said there has been a failure," the Congress leader said. He added, "There is a failure of intelligence. The government of India didn't provide ample security. As far as war is concerned, if it's inevitable, we must go to war."
Describing his statement as ‘voice against war from within India’, Pakistani media including leading news channels covered Siddaramaiah's statement prominently.
Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Waddetiwar, too, sparked a row after he said, “The government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They (the government) are saying that terrorists killed people after asking them (about their religion). Do terrorists have time for all this? … Some people say that this did not happen. Terrorists have no caste or religion. Identify those responsible and take appropriate action. This is the sentiment of the country."