Chidambaram’s Remarks on Pahalgam Attack Spark BJP-Congress Clash Ahead of Operation Sindoor Debate

Congress leader and former Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s recent comments suggesting that the Pahalgam terror attack could have involved “homegrown terrorists” — and his assertion that no concrete evidence has yet been presented linking the attackers to Pakistan — have triggered a sharp political row with the ruling BJP.

The controversy erupted just hours before Parliament was scheduled to begin discussions on Operation Sindoor, India’s military and diplomatic response to the Pahalgam attack.

BJP Accuses Congress of Going Soft on Pakistan

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya led the charge late Sunday night, accusing the Congress of once again “rushing to give a clean chit to Pakistan.” Posting a short clip from Chidambaram’s interview with The Quint on social media platform X, Malviya alleged that the Congress has a history of “bending over backwards to protect the enemy.”

Chidambaram Hits Back: ‘Selective Outrage, Distorted Clip’

Chidambaram responded on Monday morning, calling the criticism a result of selective editing and misinformation. “Trolls are of different kinds and use different tools to spread misinformation,” he wrote on X, adding that the “worst kind” are those who mute words and isolate phrases to “paint the speaker in a black colour.”

In the full interview, Chidambaram criticized the Modi government’s handling of the investigation, questioning why the attackers had not yet been apprehended or identified officially. He emphasized the importance of presenting hard evidence if Pakistan is to be held accountable internationally.

“Why have you not apprehended [the terrorists]? Why have you not even identified them?” he asked.

NIA: Attackers Were Pakistan-Based LeT Operatives

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is leading the probe, has arrested two Kashmiri men who allegedly provided logistical support for the attack. The agency claims the actual gunmen were Pakistani nationals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but has withheld their identities for now, stating that details will be disclosed “at an appropriate time.”

Chidambaram’s son and Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram also defended his father on X, urging critics to watch the entire interview. He pointed out that the government’s communication had been “ambiguous and fragmented,” and questioned why crucial details were being shared in “bits and pieces by different offices.”

Debate on Operation Sindoor Begins in Parliament

The row comes just as Parliament is preparing to debate Operation Sindoor, with the Lok Sabha scheduled to take up the matter on Monday and the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The operation, which involved targeted strikes across the LoC, is seen as a significant step in India’s evolving counter-terrorism doctrine.

As tensions rise inside and outside the House, the political discourse around national security appears set to take center stage — with both sides trading accusations over evidence, transparency, and patriotism.