BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Undermining National Interests Over Operation Sindoor Remarks

 New Delhi  — A political storm intensified on Monday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his critical remarks against External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding India’s handling of Operation Sindoor. The BJP alleged that Gandhi’s comments have inadvertently aided Pakistan’s propaganda machinery and accused him of undermining national security narratives.

BJP leaders sharply reacted to Gandhi’s statement, in which he questioned the government’s silence on the number of Indian aircraft reportedly lost during the operation. In a post on social media platform X, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya called out Gandhi for, in his words, amplifying falsehoods that benefit hostile foreign interests.

“Pakistani media is weaponising Rahul Gandhi’s posts to paint a false picture of Operation Sindoor, which was a clear strategic victory for India. This pattern is not new. On multiple occasions, Gandhi’s statements have been used by Pakistan to deflect attention from its support for terrorism,” Malviya wrote, sharing a clip from a Pakistani news broadcast highlighting Gandhi’s criticism.

He further questioned the intent behind Gandhi’s public comments: “At what point does political ambition give way to national responsibility?” Malviya went so far as to label the Congress leader a “modern age Mir Jafar,” invoking a historical figure synonymous with betrayal.

The BJP also noted that Gandhi has not acknowledged India’s strategic and operational success during Operation Sindoor, nor has he congratulated the Prime Minister or the armed forces. Instead, they argued, Gandhi continues to raise questions that were already addressed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Directorate General of Military Operations (DGMO) in official briefings.

“While he repeatedly asks how many jets we lost, he has not once inquired how many Pakistani aircraft were downed or destroyed in their own territory during the strikes,” Malviya added. In a rhetorical jab, he asked, “What’s next for Rahul Gandhi? The Nishan-e-Pakistan?”

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi echoed similar sentiments, stating that Gandhi’s remarks reflect a persistent disregard for India’s armed forces. “Despite clear statements from both the IAF and the Ministry of External Affairs confirming there were no losses to Indian assets, Mr. Gandhi continues to misquote facts. He appears unwilling to learn from his past mistakes,” Joshi said in his post on X.

Criticism of Gandhi’s comments also came from outside the BJP. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Dr. Krishank took exception to Gandhi’s choice of forum for raising security-related concerns. “As Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi has the privilege to raise such questions in closed-door all-party meetings, not on public platforms where they can be misused by adversarial foreign media,” Dr. Krishank said, adding that Gandhi should be more circumspect and strategic in his communications.

“Do continue to ask questions, Rahul ji—but do so at the right time and place to strengthen India’s position, not its opponents,” he added.

Despite mounting criticism, Gandhi on Monday doubled down on his accusations. He reiterated his claim that the Indian government had informed Pakistan at the outset of Operation Sindoor—an assertion the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has publicly refuted through its official fact-checking wing.

Calling the alleged disclosure “not a lapse but a crime,” Gandhi maintained his charge of silence against the External Affairs Minister, even as official sources and military briefings have categorically denied the claims.

With the general election season approaching, the political discourse surrounding national security appears set to remain at the forefront, further intensifying the ideological and rhetorical divide between the ruling BJP and the principal opposition party.