Priyanka Gandhi Slams Centre Over Pahalgam Attack, Says “They Were Indians” Amid Communal Spin Attempts

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday strongly criticised the BJP-led central government during the Lok Sabha discussion on Operation Sindoor, pushing back against attempts by some members to give a communal angle to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

Responding sharply to remarks from certain MPs referring to the victims as “Hindus,” Priyanka Gandhi interjected with a firm: “Bharatiye the” (They were Indians) — underscoring the need to view the tragedy through a national, not communal, lens.

“My Mother’s Tears Fell When Terrorists Killed My Father”

Speaking emotionally, the Congress general secretary recalled her family’s own experience with terrorism. “The Union Home Minister spoke about my mother’s tears today. Let me respond. My mother’s tears fell when terrorists killed my father,” she said, referring to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. “Today, when I talk about the 26 people killed in Pahalgam, it is because I truly understand their pain.”

Questions Government’s Silence and Accountability

Priyanka took aim at what she described as the government’s evasion of responsibility. “Yesterday, the Defence Minister gave a one-hour-long speech. But one question remained unanswered—on April 22, when 26 of our countrymen were shot dead, how did this happen? Why did this happen?” she asked.

She accused the BJP of politicising national tragedies and said that the government has repeatedly failed to show accountability. “This government tries to dodge every difficult question. For them, everything is about politics and publicity. The truth is, they have no space for the public in their hearts,” she said.

Criticises BJP’s Focus on the Past Over Present Issues

Referring to frequent mentions of the Gandhi family by BJP MPs, she said, “Sahab, you talk about history, I will talk about the present. You keep making excuses, bringing up the entire Gandhi family. But you’ve been in power for 11 years. When Gaurav Gogoi raised a question yesterday, wasn’t that the Home Minister’s responsibility?”

She ended her remarks with a pointed observation: “Rajnath ji was nodding… but the Home Minister was laughing.”

Priyanka Gandhi’s speech marked a fiery moment in the Monsoon Session, reflecting deepening tensions between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over the government’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.