With just a few weeks remaining for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, desperate attempts from leaders of various parties have taken the political discourse to a new low in India. After SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav made nonsensical comments on the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama, close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroida has also joined the ranks.
Chairman of the Overseas Indian National Congress, Sam raised the bar set by Ram Gopal Yadav by dissociating Pakistan with the deadly terror attack in Pulwama, Pulwama attack was carried by Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Sam Pitroda is a part of Congress manifesto committee for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and is considered a senior party ideologue.
“Don’t know much about attacks. It happens all the time. Attack happened in Mumbai also, we could have then reacted and just sent our planes but that is not right approach. According to me that’s not how you deal with world.” Sam Pitroda said on Pulwama terror attack.
He further added, “Eight people (26/11 terrorists) come and do something, you don’t jump on entire nation (Pakistan). Naive to assume that just because some people came here and attacked, every citizen of that nation is to be blamed. I don’t believe in that way.” He essentially washed off Pakistan’s responsibility for terror in the region. Pakistan has been criticized by many countries over its support for radical terrorism. With India leading the efforts to eradicate terrorism from the region, these comments are surely not supportive of our forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the blatant misrepresentation and molding of facts by the Sam Pitroda, called him out on Twitter and said, “The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces. Shame!”
The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces.
Shame! https://t.co/puSjTK8Y4x
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2019
Sam Pitroda even tried to create clouds of doubts around the successful anti-terror operation carried out by the India Air Force. In the anti-terror operations, Indian Air Force had destroyed a major terror camp in Baklakot of Pakistan. Questioning the attack Sam Pitroda said, “I would like to know a little more because I read reports in the New York Times and other newspapers. Did we really attack? We really killed 300 people? I don’t know that. As a citizen, I am entitled to know and if I ask it is my duty to ask, that doesn’t mean I’m not a nationalist, that doesn’t mean I am on this side or that side. We need to know the facts. If you say 300 people were killed, I need to know that,” Technical surveillance by Indian intelligence agencies had found 300 mobile phones active at the facility, however no official numbers on terrorist causalities were released.
While India believes in the incoherency of ongoing talks with terrorism, it has been a firm policy response to terror originating from Pakistan, which is essentially leading to isolation of Pakistan in the international community. Sam Pitroda was not short to desecrate the effective policy stand. “I am a Gandhian, I believe in more compassion and respect. I believe in more dialogue personally.”
With heating up of political discourse in India, strong response from PM Modi clearly indicates the gravity of the situation. With the region putting efforts in overcoming state-sponsored Pakistani terror, statements of this kind surely don’t play well with the morale of the armed forces and the citizens. Calling out Congress’s attitude towards national security and maintaining India’s policy to repel terror firmly, PM Modi tweeted:-
Loyal courtier of Congress’ royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror.
This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest! https://t.co/Mul4LIbKb5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2019
PM Modi also hit out at the opposition on how time and again the leaders have insulted the Indian armed forces and raised questions on the airstrikes.
Opposition insults our forces time and again.
I appeal to my fellow Indians- question Opposition leaders on their statements.
Tell them- 130 crore Indians will not forgive or forget the Opposition for their antics.
India stands firmly with our forces. #JantaMaafNahiKaregi https://t.co/rwpFKMMeHY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2019
PM Modi, by coming to the forefront has again proven his commitment towards robust national security and a strong resolve to fight terrorism and those who support it.
