New Delhi, July 29 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a scathing attack on the government in the Lok Sabha, questioning India’s strategic and diplomatic handling of Operation Sindoor the military retaliation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. Citing political interference, weakened international positioning, and compromised military autonomy, Gandhi accused the Modi government of jeopardizing national security for political gain.
One of his most pointed allegations was that the armed forces were instructed not to strike Pakistani military infrastructure. He warned that such restrictions risked the lives of Indian pilots, asserting that if Indian jets were downed, it would not be due to pilot error but due to political handcuffing. “You’re not allowing our forces to operate freely,” Gandhi claimed, arguing that the bravery of soldiers must be matched by political will, not restraint.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the 1971 war under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he emphasized the need for decisive leadership. “Indira Gandhi didn’t flinch. Today’s leadership ties our pilots’ hands,” he said, adding that heroism in the skies is not enough without courage in governance.
Gandhi also criticized Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s public admission that India had informed Pakistan about its targeting plans at 1:35 AM during Operation Sindoor. According to Gandhi, such transparency during an active military campaign signaled weakness and undermined India’s strategic freedom.
The Congress MP then turned to global diplomacy, questioning the government’s silence over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “If Trump is lying, why hasn’t the Prime Minister called him out on the floor of this House?” Gandhi asked, daring Modi to demonstrate leadership courage and defend India’s sovereign decisions.
On the international front, Gandhi lamented the absence of global condemnation of Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. He accused the foreign policy establishment of being directionless and failing to secure global backing despite the gravity of the incident. “Our narrative on Pakistan and China is collapsing. The world isn’t listening anymore,” he said.
He concluded with a sharp warning against politicizing the armed forces, cautioning that using military action for domestic political advantage weakens democracy and endangers national security. “The forces are meant to protect the nation, not a party’s electoral prospects,” he said.
Multiple outlets, including The Federal, Times of India, and Economic Times, echoed Gandhi’s critique, emphasizing his call for operational freedom, international support, and leadership accountability. With references to past wars and current geopolitics, Gandhi framed his speech as a call to return to fearless, strategic governance.
