As India abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday asserted that the move goes against everything the country has stood for, and invoked words of Mahatma Gandhi.
India on Friday abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on a Jordan-drafted resolution titled ‘protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. Several thousand people have been killed in Gaza in a massive counter-offensive by Israel following deadly raids on October 7 by Hamas.
The 193 members of the UNGA, which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa. The 193-member world body adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” to drive home her point.
“I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives, these principles form the basis of the constitution that defines our nationhood,” she said.
They represent the moral courage of India that guided its actions as a member of the international community, she added.
“To refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverized, food, water, medical supplies, communication and power is cut off to millions of people and thousands of men, women and children in Palestine are being annihilated goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the CPI(M) and the CPI said that India’s abstaining from voting was “shocking” and shows that it is shaping its foreign policy as “a subordinate ally of US imperialism.
In the joint statement titled ‘Stop this Genocidal Aggression in Gaza,’ Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary D Raja said India’s move negates its longstanding support to the Palestinian cause.
“India’s abstention on a resolution that was overwhelmingly adopted shows the extent to which Indian foreign policy is being shaped by being a subordinate ally of US imperialism and the Modi government’s actions for consolidating the US-Israel-India nexus. This negates India’s longstanding support to the Palestinian cause,” they said.
Further, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said there was “total confusion” in the approach of the Narendra Modi government to the Palestine issue amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Replying to a question in a news conference, Pawar said India never supported the way Gaza is being attacked, hospitals were being bombed, resulting in the death of thousands.
“Today, there is total confusion in the Indian government’s policy. I have never seen such confusion from the Indian government over the Palestine and Gaza issue. The first statement of the PM totally supported Israel. When there was a reaction from the outside world and (within) India, the foreign ministry took a different line and spoke in favour of Palestine,” Pawar, a former defence minister, claimed.
Meanwhile, following Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who are “ashamed and shocked” must realise that India will never be on the side of terrorism.
“India’s Explanation of Vote – spelt this out categorically. Our position on the Israel – Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent. Those who choose to side with terror do so at their own peril…,” the former minority affairs minister said on X.
“On a lighter note, Priyanka Ji, you should first educate yourself on things that are put out from your X account. Looks like people, who have no idea of Congress’s past positions on the situation, are advising you,” he said.
“What is worse is that in an attempt to make you look ‘better’ than Rahul, they are making you look silly,” Naqvi added.