Congress Leader’s Controversial Statements on Pulwama and Terror Attacks

Amid the intensifying political atmosphere during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, another Congress leader has stirred controversy by seeming to absolve Pakistan of involvement in the 2019 Pulwama attack. Former minister and Congress candidate from Faridabad, Mahender Pratap Singh, faced sharp criticism from the BJP after suggesting that the attack “wasn’t orchestrated by Pakistan, but rather by the Indian government.”

In an election rally speech shared by BJP leader Vishnu Vardhan Reddy on X, Singh can be heard stating, “The Pulwama attack incident is clear. Even their own governor (referring to Satya Pal Malik) disclosed requesting the prime minister to airlift personnel due to security threats on the route. This revelation stands as significant proof. This was a strategy to secure a second term, and now preparations are underway for a third term.”

Several other Congress leaders have also made contentious remarks regarding terrorist attacks in India. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring referred to the Pulwama attack as a ‘mystery’, alleging that the ruling BJP “is capable of anything during elections.” Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi labeled terror strikes during elections as “stuntbaazi.”

The statements made by these leaders ignited a political storm, particularly in light of a recent terrorist attack on an Indian Air Force convoy in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch.

Separately, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar asserted that Maharashtra’s top cop Hemant Karkare, killed during the 26/11 terror attack, was not murdered by terrorists but by a police official linked to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Wadettiwar cited the book “Who Killed Karkare” by retired police officer SM Mushriff to support his claims. This assertion prompted senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to call for a “serious investigation” into the matter, emphasizing the nation’s right to know the truth. Tharoor stated, “…It seems to me that this allegation should have been seriously investigated. And it is not too late. Because on such an important matter, the nation has every right to know what really happened.”