Salient Points of Press Conference of BJP Senior MP and Former Union Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad
While Congress claims to uphold the unity of the country, the statements made by its leaders are damaging the nation's image. Are these leaders intentionally doing so? These remarks are being used as instruments in Pakistan’s anti-India propaganda, and Congress should take action to stop them
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Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party, or have they instructed their leaders to make such statements deliberately?
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that war is not necessary and he does not support it. Karnataka Minister R.B. Timmappur remarked that the terrorists did not inquire about religion while killing tourists. Similarly, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar is making the same claim
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Robert Vadra claimed that the terrorists carried out the attack because Muslims are being oppressed. Congress leader Saifuddin Soz argued that if Pakistan denies involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, we should accept their statement.
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Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar asked if the unresolved issues from partition are reflected in the tragic Pahalgam incident on April 22. Aiyar has previously sought support from Pakistan
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Himachal Pradesh Congress Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandra Kumar criticized the government's actions, stating that the world is turning against India. He claimed that using water and electricity cuts for revenge isn't the way to handle things and terrorism exists everywhere, while the government unnecessarily blames Pakistan
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Countries like Russia, USA, Australia, UK, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and the UAE all support India, but Congress leaders are claiming the world is against us. What is the source of such statements and claim?
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At a time when India needs unity, such comments are harming the country's image. The entire world stands with India, so why can't Congress leaders show the same unity with the nation?
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Samajwadi Party President and MP Akhilesh Yadav's statement claiming that he has no connection with Shubham Dwivedi from Uttar Pradesh who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, is a complete lack of sensitivity
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Mallikarjun Kharge seems to have an issue with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, which is why he makes contradictory statements, saying one thing in private and another in public. After the Pahalgam attack, the entire country expects unity, yet the Congress President continues to make such remarks at this crucial time
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Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has clearly stated that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be eliminated and receive a punishment beyond their imagination.
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Bharatiya Janata Party Senior MP and Former Union Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, on Monday. During the conference, Shri Prasad stated that several Congress leaders are making insensitive remarks during this time of sorrow, which is extremely shameful. Shri Prasad strongly condemned the statements made by Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, Kashmir Congress leader Saifuddin Soz, a Congress Minister in Himachal Pradesh, and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav.
Shri Prasad stated that there was no need to emphasize the current situation of the country, as the entire issue is being managed under strategic security. The tragic incident in Pahalgam, which the entire nation witnessed, has caused widespread anger. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji clearly stated in his Bihar address and in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that strict measures will be taken against terrorists. An all-party meeting was held, where everyone observed silence to pay tribute to the victims and in a spirit of unity, assured the government of their support for strong action. This is a major terrorist attack in the country, where people were shot for being Hindu and for not being able to recite the Kalma. Such an incident has never been heard of in recent history. The families of the victims, with tears in their eyes, have confirmed that this is indeed what happened. Whether it's the wife of a Navy officer, the wife of Shubham Dwivedi from Kanpur, or the families of those killed from South India and Maharashtra, the entire country is speaking with one voice. The country is filled with both anger and sorrow.
Former Union Minister Shri Prasad stated that both leaders of the Congress party, their president and Rahul Gandhi, have publicly declared their support for the government's actions, which is a positive sign. This reflects the strength of a mature democracy, when the country is in crisis, it must stand united. Shri Prasad recalled that during the 26/11 attacks, as the party's chief spokesperson, he was given clear instructions by the party to take a unified position: "We stand with the government." In an interview on an international channel, he was asked many questions, and he responded by saying, "This is not the time to settle political scores, we are with the government, headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh." At that time, the world's attention was focused on India. The same was expected from the Congress party. Some senior Congress leaders are saying something entirely different.
Shri Prasad stated that the remarks made by Congress leaders have deeply hurt the sentiments of the entire country. It would have been different if it had happened once or twice, but now it has become a pattern. Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said on April 26 that there is no need for a war against Pakistan and that he does not support any such conflict. Pakistan is taking full advantage of the statement made by the Karnataka Chief Minister. What Congress leaders say here is being used by Pakistani television channels and their journalists, who claim that this is a statement from the Chief Minister of an important Indian state. This statement is going viral. Later, Siddaramaiah issued a long clarification post, saying that he had not made any specific statement, only that people should remain united within the country.
Former Union Minister remarked that Karnataka's Excise Minister, R.B. Timmapur, made a statement saying, "The terrorists didn't ask the tourists about their religion before shooting them. Practically speaking, why would someone firing a gun ask about a person's caste or religion? They would just shoot." The truth is that two tourists from Karnataka, Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga and Bharat Bhushan from Bangalore, were killed. Their wives have publicly shared on TV that their religion was questioned before they were shot. On the other hand, Minister R.B. Timmapur is distributing a different certificate which is being widely circulated in Pakistan. A statement by Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Maharashtra, is even more troubling. Wadettiwar said, “Did the terrorists have time to ask about religion while shooting?” The Leader of the Opposition and the Congress Legislative Party leader in Maharashtra are making such irresponsible and insensitive remarks.
Shri Prasad stated that the sentiments of those who lost their lives in our country must be honoured. Vijay Wadettiwar and Robert Vadra are preaching to the nation, Robert Vadra claiming that Muslims are being suppressed in the country, which is why such incidents are occurring. Mani Shankar Aiyar remarked that the consequences of the Partition tragedy remain unresolved to this day. What exactly does Mani Shankar Aiyar intend to convey with this statement? Mani Shankar Aiyar is not an ordinary individual; he has served as a minister in Congress and was a close confidant of Rajiv Gandhi. Likewise, Robert Vadra is not just any individual; he is Priyanka Gandhi’s husband and a member of the Gandhi family by marriage. While Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are speaking about national unity, Mani Shankar Aiyar is making statements that echo the tone of Jinnah. It is the same Mani Shankar Aiyar who once visited Pakistan and suggested that Pakistan’s help was needed to defeat the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.
Former Union Minister Shri Prasad stated that apart from them, the Minister of Animal Husbandry in Himachal Pradesh, Chaudhary Chandrakumar, commented that at this time the whole world is mocking on us about the security system in our country. Can revenge be taken by stopping water? Now, Congress leaders are positioning themselves as experts in international diplomacy. Meanwhile, the entire world stands with India and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, on this terrorist incident. The global community, including Russia, the USA, Australia, England, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and UAE, are all standing with India. Yet, Congress ministers claim that the world is mocking us. Where are these thoughts and words coming from? During the candle march in Bihar, slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ were raised. A lot of things happen in Bihar's grand alliance, and this is just another example. When asked about visiting Shubham Dwivedi’s house, Akhilesh Yadav stated that he has no connection with Shubham’s family, but he would encourage his party workers to go there. For the son of a former Chief Minister, who himself served as Chief Minister and is the leader of his party in the Lok Sabha, to claim no connection with the brutal murder of newlywed Shubham Dwivedi in Uttar Pradesh is an extreme display of insensitivity. Akhilesh Yadav should act in accordance with democratic values and public decency. This is truly unfortunate and deeply regrettable.
Shri Prasad said that Aam Aadmi Party Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj says that the action of the Indian Government will cause more harm to India itself. The government has a comprehensive list of individuals who have publicly confirmed that attacks were carried out after asking victims about their religion. Himanshi, the wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal from Karnal, Vikas, the brother of victim Sushil from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and the family members of Yatish Parmar and his son Smit Parmar from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, both of whom lost their lives, have all verified this. Several others have made similar statements as well. Meanwhile, Congress leader from Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz, remarked that "Water is extremely important for Pakistan, both for irrigation and drinking needs. If river waters are not diverted, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir would be completely submerged. If Pakistan denies involvement in the Pahalgam attack, we should accept their statement." This comment from Saifuddin Soz, who served as a Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh government, is deeply shameful.
Former Union Minister Shri Prasad questioned whether Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party. Did Rahul and Kharge propose a formula for unity while allowing others the freedom to say whatever they want? Have they considered that these statements are being misused in Pakistan? Are Congress leaders intentionally working to tarnish the country’s image in Pakistan's eyes? Have these leaders been questioned for their remarks? Has anyone been asked to publicly apologize? Has anyone been warned that such statements are unacceptable? None of this has happened, it's a free-for-all, and that's not acceptable. The BJP strongly condemns this attitude. It is deeply painful. As Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has stated, the Government of India will take strict action on this matter. Justice will be delivered to those who were killed, and the entire nation stands united. The Congress party must take action against those responsible within their party and strengthen the nation’s unity.
Shri Prasad stated that in the all-party meeting, senior leaders including Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman were present. The entire presentation was given by the Indian Army. In reality, Mallikarjun Kharge harbors resentment towards Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, which is why he made the ‘56-inch chest’ remark. At a time when the nation expects unity, Kharge should refrain from using such language.
Former Union Minister Shri Prasad stated that the story of Humsaya has been told since 1948. But the reality is that in 1948, there was the war over Kashmir, in 1965 another war, and in 1971 the Bangladesh Liberation War, and it was Zia-ul-Haq who spoke about inflicting thousands of wounds on India. Today, Pakistan has become the center of global terrorism, so they can keep their ‘Humsaya Ka Saya’ to themselves. Congress leaders should control the language used by Saifuddin Soz. Congress should set aside vote-bank politics for now, there aren't even any elections currently. Even when chasing the vote bank, Congress could not cross 100 seats in three consecutive elections. They lost Assembly elections and will lose in Bihar too. At the very least, they should speak in one voice with the country right now. The statements of Congress leaders are today becoming tools for Pakistan’s anti-India propaganda, and Congress must stop this. When the whole world stands with India, it is unfortunate that Pakistan is misusing statements from people like Robert Vadra, Mani Shankar Aiyar, and some Chief Ministers.
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