National Times Bureau, May 20, 2025: BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya stirred fresh controversy after posting a provocative tweet accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of echoing Pakistan’s stance on India’s military operations. Malviya’s post came in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a recent Indian military action hailed by the government as a demonstration of India’s strategic dominance.
In his tweet, Malviya criticized Gandhi for not congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the operation’s success. Instead, he accused the Congress MP of repeatedly questioning how many Indian jets were lost — a query, Malviya claimed, already addressed in DGMO briefings. “Curiously, he hasn’t once inquired about how many Pakistani jets were shot down,” Malviya wrote.
The controversy deepened due to the image attached to the tweet, which featured a digitally morphed face split between Rahul Gandhi and Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir. The fusion was interpreted as a visual allegation that Gandhi was ideologically aligned with India’s geopolitical rival.
The tweet ended with a sarcastic remark: “What’s next for Rahul Gandhi? The Nishan-e-Pakistan?” — a reference to Pakistan’s highest civilian award, implying that Gandhi’s criticism of the government benefited Pakistan more than India.
The post has drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Congress leaders accused the BJP of indulging in divisive propaganda and attempting to silence democratic dissent through accusations of disloyalty. Political analysts warned that such comparisons erode civil discourse and undermine the legitimacy of opposition voices in a democracy.
As tensions rise ahead of elections, the incident underscores how national security and military achievements are increasingly being weaponized in India’s political battlefield.
