Congress distances itself from the comments made by Nirupam and says that it fully trusts the Indian army.
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam received flak for his statement mentioning that surgical strike carried out by the Indian army in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) was fake. Congress washed its hands of the issue by saying that the comments made by Nirupam are his personal opinion and the party doesn’t endorse it. Even though Congress party has been attacking the style of functioning of the Modi government but the party has applauded the aggressive stand taken by the government against Pakistan. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi too lauded Modi and said that this was the first time he performed good work after BJP government came to power in 2014.
Congress said that it has full faith on the Indian army and disagreed with the statements made by Nirupam. Randeep Surjewala, Congress party spokesperson said, “Congress doesn’t agree with the statements made by Sanjay Nirupam, we have taken a serious note of it. Our party fully trusts the Indian Army.”
He urged the government to share the evidence of the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian army.
“It is time that Government of India unmasks Pakistan’s false propaganda by revealing and making public the evidences we have,” he said.
Former Congress MP and AICC General Secretary, Gurudas Kamat who is known as a political rival of Nirupam too slammed him.
Kamat tweeted, “Honble Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi had complimented the Indian Army and the government for carrying out surgical Strikes against Pakistan. No one else in Congress should abuse their positions to embarrass the party and the country.”
Former Congress MLA Krishna Hegde said, “Some people have cast aspersions on the Indian Armed forces. I totally condemn the same. Do we need Pakistan when we have enemies within? We are with the Indian army. Jai Hind.”
Deepak Talwar, a local Congress leader said, “We had struck and we will strike. I have utmost faith in the Indian army. Should not self-proclaimed leaders restrain themselves from making irrational statements and substantiating the words of Pakistan in national interest will appreciate resignation on moral grounds.”
BJP national spokesperson Shaina NC said that Nirupam is making irresponsible statements at a time when jawans are safeguarding the country.
She said, “What credentials does Sanjay Nirupam have to question the government? Does he suggest that he is questioning the integrity of Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Government?”
“Does he suggest that he is against all political parties and his own party, where everyone stands united in this fight against terror? If he does, I think it is the cheapest form of publicity for self-gain,” she added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rameshwar Sharma, “Those who are questioning the Army jawans are the kind of people who will only believe their lineage after watching video of their parent’s first wedding night.”
“The Indian Army has been sacrificing their lives and blood for the nation and those who don`t believe in them are traitors. They all are Pakistani agents. Their language and tone matches with that of Nawaz Sharif,” he added.
The civil society members, including former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, Anandini Thakur, RTI activist Bhaskar Prabhu and others have decided to pull out as panelists from a civic issue event organised by Mumbai Congress unit after Nirupam’s remarks.
Gandhi, in an e-mail sent to Nirupam, expressed their decision not to attend the discussion.
“It pains all Indians to hear an Indian national talking in such a manner and providing support to Pakistan’s stand,” he said in the e-mail.
“We found Nirupam questioning the authenticity of the surgical strikes and terming them fake as extremely unwarranted and avoidable. After having consultation with other members of the civil society, we decided to keep ourselves away from the meeting organised by Nirupam,” said Gandhi.
