- By Shivam Shandilya
- Sat, 28 Oct 2023 06:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hours after India abstained from a vote at the UN General Assembly amid the war between Israel and Hamas, a political slugfest has broken out between Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The government has reiterated that the draft resolution had no mention of Hamas and that it will continue to condemn terrorism. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi asserted on Saturday that the move goes against everything that the country stood for.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi's "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" to drive home her point. "I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza," Priyanka Gandhi said.
Reacting to the comments from the Congress leader, BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who are "ashamed and shocked" must realise that India will never be on the side of terrorism.
"India's Explanation of Vote – spelt this out categorically. Our position on the Israel – Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent. Those who choose to side with terror do so at their own peril...," the former minority affairs minister said on X.
"On a lighter note, Priyanka Ji, you should first educate yourself on things that are put out from your X account. Looks like people, who have no idea of Congress's past positions on the situation, are advising you," he said.
"What is worse is that in an attempt to make you look 'better' than Rahul, they are making you look silly," Naqvi added.
India on Friday abstained from voting in the UNGA on a Jordan-drafted resolution titled 'protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations' that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza strip. The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution that called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.
Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar also lashed out at India’s stand, saying that this was a "shift in India's policy" towards the Palestine issue and adding that "thousands of people" are dying there. He added that India has never supported the Israeli cause.
(With input from agencies)