- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Sun, 27 Apr 2025 04:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pointing to Pakistani media coverage of Karnataka Chief Minister 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."
The Karnataka CM, earlier, 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 yesterday.
Describing his statement as ‘voice against war from within India’, Pakistani media including leading news channels covered Siddaramaiah's statement prominently.
Sharing a clip from a Geo News bulletin, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra posted on X, "Big cheers for Wazar-e-Ala @siddaramaiah from far across the Borders! Pakistani media is all too praise for @siddaramaiah & visibly disappointed at the backlash he is receiving from BJP & others, for his comments against war with Pakistan."
Referring to India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s visit to Pakistan, Vijayendra said, "Nehru was taken around in an open Jeep around the streets of Rawalpindi, as Pakistan was too happy with Nehru for signing the Indus Water Treaty that favoured Pakistan. Is Siddaramaiah going to be the next politician from India to be taken around in an open Jeep in Pakistan?"
Siddaramiah's statements drew criticism from former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa. "At a time when we need to stand united, Siddaramaiah's statements are highly condemnable and childish. He should understand the reality and not make such comments when the nation is standing together. It doesn't fare well for his position as Chief Minister. I condemn this. He should apologise to the people of the country and mend his ways," he said.
An horrific terror attack occurred in Bairsaran valley of Pahalgam on April 22, leaving 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator dead. India has taken multiple steps in the aftermath of the terror attack, suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan, too, has warned of suspending all bilateral agreements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. "From Kargil to Kanyakumari, there is grief and rage. This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country's enemies have shown the audacity to attack India's soul," he said, adding that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who plotted it would "get a punishment they cannot imagine".
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has said the government has the Opposition's full support for any action.
