Congress MP and Spokesperson Jairam Ramesh took to X (formerly Twitter) to articulate the party’s position, urging members to exercise caution when speaking to the media during what he termed “the most sensitive of times.”
“The Congress Working Committee (CWC) convened on April 24th, 2025, and passed a resolution concerning the brutal terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam that occurred two days earlier. Subsequently, on April 25th, 2025, the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha participated in the all-party meeting to present the party’s viewpoint,” Ramesh wrote on X.
The Congress Working Committee had met on April 24th 2025 and passed a resolution on the brutal terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam two days earlier. Therafter on April 25th 2025 the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha attended the all-party…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 28, 2025
“Several Congress leaders have been addressing the media. Their comments represent only their personal views and do not reflect the opinions of the INC. There should be no doubt at this extremely sensitive time that the CWC resolution, along with the statements made by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi, as well as the perspectives of authorized AICC office-bearers, are the only representations of the INC’s position,” he added.
Kharge and Gandhi had reaffirmed their support for the government’s actions during the all-party meeting convened by the government.
MLA’s statements
Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar sparked controversy with remarks questioning the victims’ accounts.
Read more: India blocks YouTube channels of Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali after Pahalgam attacks
“The government must take accountability for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They claim that terrorists asked people about their religion before killing them. Do terrorists really have time for that? Some are suggesting that this didn’t happen,” he stated, as reported by ANI.
“Terrorists do not adhere to caste or religion. We must catch those responsible and take decisive action. This sentiment resonates with the nation,” he continued. However, following criticism, he clarified on X, asserting that the party endorses “whatever action the government takes.”
“This is a conspiracy aimed at undermining the unity of India. The primary intent behind the Pahalgam terrorist attack is to sow discord between two religions, disrupt India’s unity, and induce instability in the country. The strictest measures must be taken against terrorists and their supporters,” he expressed on X, sharing a video to clarify his earlier comments.
“Congress supports any action taken by the government. It is crucial to dismantle such anti-national tendencies for the sake of India’s integrity and national security. India is one, and will remain one,” he concluded.
भारताच्या एकात्मतेवर घाला घालण्याचा कट!!
पहलगाम येथील दहशतवादी हल्ल्याचा मुख्य हेतू म्हणजे दोन धर्मांमध्ये तेढ निर्माण करून भारतातील एकात्मता भंग पाडणे आणि देशात अस्थिरता निर्माण करणे हा आहे.
दहशतवादी आणि त्यांच्या पाठराखण करणाऱ्यांवर कठोरात कठोर कारवाई झाली पाहिजे. सरकार जी… pic.twitter.com/zq4J7KTIf3— Vijay Wadettiwar (@VijayWadettiwar) April 28, 2025
Congress clarifies separation from individual remarks
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh indicated to ANI that the party does not endorse such opinions, stating, “What individual Congress leaders express is their personal viewpoint. The official stance of Congress is encapsulated in the CWC resolution.”
Ramesh also mentioned the need for “unity, solidarity, a collective will, a collective response, and ongoing communication” between the central government and the Opposition, even in light of security lapses and intelligence failures.
BJP criticizes Congress leaders
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the statements from Congress leaders, labeling them as shameless and irresponsible.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called out Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Vijay Wadettiwar, Karnataka minister RB Timmapur, and Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra.
Read more: Pahalgam terror attack hollowed us, have no words to seek apology, says J&K CM Omar
“Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party? Or did both merely make formal comments while allowing others to speak freely as they pleased?” Prasad was quoted as saying by PTI.
