It all started with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal “saluting” Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the surgical strikes and also demanding “proof” to counter Pakistan’s propaganda questioning the same. Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam too voiced concern. Quick to take a clue was Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who initially had supported the Prime Minister on the strikes. On Thursday, he accused Narendra Modi of “hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India.” More on how the politicians reacted to the strikes:
What has happened?
Last week, India carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the LoC with the Army inflicting “significant casualties” on the terrorists.
First Salvo
The first salvo was fired by Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who said “every Indian wants surgical strikes against Pakistan, but not a fake one just to extract political benefit”.
Opposition, Centre on same page
In the name of country’s security, the entire Opposition led by Congress party initially rallied behind the government and the Army and lauded their efforts to crush terror.
AK shoots from the hip
Politicians can’t give up politics. Arvind Kejriwal, though he saluted the Prime Minister for the strikes, also hinted at seeking “evidence” for the operation carried out by the security forces.
Centre’s refrain
The Army, meanwhile, handed over the footage to the MoS Home, Hansraj Ahir. Most probably the footage will not be made public as any evidence at this stage may benefit Pakistan.
Others follow suit
While the likes of Subramainam Swamy in the ruling BJP favoured releasing ‘edited’ version of the footage of the surgical strikes, Congress’ Digvijay Singh too spoke up demanding evidence. JD(U) leader Ajay Alok said, “if you have the proof, release it.”
Veterans speak up
Former army chief Gen V.P. Malik slammed those questioning the credibility of the strikes saying, “The video should not be released just because some stupid people have sought so.”
What did Rahul Gandhi say?
Congress vice-present Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in political exploitation of the sacrifices of soldiers. “You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong,” he said.
DC take
It is not at all a secret that currently even the quality of general public discourse has gone to the dogs. However, it hit a new low when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi decided to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of “hiding behind the blood of the soldiers.” Therefore, it didn’t came as a surprise when the Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah himself decided to take the matter in his hands and gave a piece of his mind to the Congress leader who misses no opportunity to hit out at the Prime Minister.
The Congress has earlier accused Modi of doing ‘Zehar ki Kheti’, of being a ‘Maut ka Saudagar’ and the current dispensation at the Centre of being nothing more than a ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’. Political difference notwithstanding, it is expected of leaders to be atleast on the same page when it comes to matters of defence and national security. Also, language is another arena wherein leaders are expected to show some gravitas.
