Congress leaders sharply criticized the BJP-led Central government on Wednesday over the handling of Operation Sindoor and US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Speaking at the Jai Hind Sabha held in tribute to the Indian armed forces, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot described Trump’s interference as a “dangerous” sign and demanded clarity from the Centre on what transpired before the ceasefire was agreed upon.
Gehlot praised the valor of the Indian armed forces for their offensive during Operation Sindoor but condemned the manner in which the operation was halted. “The way it was stopped, we became a laughing matter internationally. No country supported us. Countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan openly backed Pakistan. This is a failure of diplomacy,” he said.
Highlighting that the Shimla Agreement prohibits third-party involvement in Kashmir, Gehlot questioned the terms of the ceasefire, asking if there were discussions about eliminating terror havens in Pakistan or handing over terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
He also criticized the Centre for not convening a Parliament session despite repeated demands, recalling that during the 1962 Indo-China war, then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called a session at the insistence of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “There are fascists in power who do not believe in democracy. It is time to work hard,” Gehlot added.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken echoed these concerns, noting the party’s support for the Centre following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed. Maken questioned why Operation Sindoor was called off when Indian forces were reportedly close to entering Lahore. “For the first time in 75 years, a ceasefire was imposed on us. Pakistan and the US announced the ceasefire before India did,” he said.
Launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Maken blamed multiple security failures in Pahalgam and held the Centre and Home Ministry responsible for lapses in military, paramilitary, and police coordination.
He also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Kashmir after the attack. “While Rahul Gandhi consoles families in affected areas, the Prime Minister was in Bihar and did not visit Pahalgam,” Maken stated.
The Congress leaders demanded answers on the ceasefire terms, security failures, and the government’s response, positioning the party as a watchdog committed to democratic accountability and national unity.