The Congress appears to have waded into a controversy after a resolution adopted by the Congress Working Committee that met in New Delhi on Monday expressed solidarity with the rights of Palestinian people but skipped any mention of the ghastly attack on Israel and its civilians by terror group Hamas.

While the BJP was quick to latch on to the statement and label the Congress party as a “supporter of terror and terror organisations”, there is a feeling within a section of the Congress itself that sees the wording of the resolution problematic.

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“The CWC expresses its dismay and anguish over the war that has broken out in the Middle East where over a thousand people have been killed in the last two days. The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect. The CWC calls for an immediate cease-fire and for negotiations to begin on all outstanding issues including the imperative issues that have given rise to the present conflict,” the CWC resolution read.

According to The Indian Express, a senior Congress leader that spoke to the newspaper said that this paragraph in the CWC resolution has left several party members irked. “It is an absurd formulation. It is as if we are condoning the terrorist attack by Hamas. As if we are endorsing terrorism. There will be a backlash,” IE quoted the leader as saying.

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According to the IE report, the draft resolution of the CWC resolution had no mention of Middle East. However, it was taken up after senior Kerala leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded that the resolution should, while condemning the Hamas attack, express solidarity with the people of Palestine given the party’s longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause.

When the resolution was read out, several members present at the meeting pointed out that the party should condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations given its historical position against terrorism. On the other hand, others argued that Ramesh’s statement Sunday was largely balanced and nuanced and there was no need for a separate statement.

The BJP, meanwhile, slammed the Congress over its stand on the matter. In a tweet on X, Union minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Congress at it again! Supporting terror organisations and terrorism while innocent civilians lose their lives to bullets. With this stand, the leading party of I.N.D.I alliance has exposed itself to the nation. How will the party protect its nation and citizens when it is openly standing with violence.”

While India is yet to officially issue any statement on the matter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed complete solidarity with Israel following the terror attack by Hamas.

“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” he tweeted.