Kharge Alleges 26 Tourists Killed in Pahalgam Due to Lack of Security, Modi Has Become More Important Than Country

Kharge criticised the BJP government for sending parliamentary delegations to various countries following ‘Operation Sindoor’ without consulting the Congress.

Kharge was speaking at an event marking two years of the Congress government in Karnataka, where over 1.11 lakh land rights certificates were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, with “undocumented settlements” declared as revenue villages.

Addressing a large public gathering, Kharge alleged, “The killing of 26 people in Pahalgam happened because the Modi government failed to provide security. The tourists who went there were not given protection by the police, border forces, or the army.” The Congress president added, “Twenty-six people were killed, yet Modi did not utter a word about the lack of security and only spoke what he wanted to.”

Kharge stated that he has not received answers to the questions he recently raised. He said the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Kashmir on April 17 but cancelled the trip after the intelligence department warned of potential trouble.

Attacking the Modi government, Kharge questioned, “When you knew about it, when you cancelled your Kashmir visit on April 17, why didn’t you inform the tourists through the police? Why didn’t you tell them not to go there, as there could be trouble? If you had informed them, 26 lives could have been saved.”

Referring to tensions with Pakistan, Kharge said that Pakistan always seeks to trouble India. He noted that Pakistan is weak but has attempted to attack India with China’s support. The Congress president stated, “Our country will never tolerate such things. We are united on this. That’s why we have supported the government in fighting against those who oppose our nation. The country comes first, followed by religion, caste, and other matters.”

The Congress leader emphasized that saving the country is Congress’s goal, and it does not prioritize party lines, credit, or criticism in this matter. He said, “We (Congress) brought freedom to a country that was enslaved for years. It is our duty to protect it. We drafted the Constitution for this country under the leadership of Ambedkar and Nehru; it is our responsibility and duty to safeguard it, and we will do so. The BJP only spreads lies.”

Kharge noted that while all parties met to discuss the country, Modi was addressing a rally in Bihar. He said all-party meetings were called twice, but the Prime Minister did not attend. He remarked, “If you were patriotic, why didn’t you attend those meetings after calling us? What’s the reason? If we don’t attend such meetings, we are traitors, but when he doesn’t go, he’s a patriot. Mere speeches cannot ensure the country’s welfare; we must work together.”

Taking a dig at the BJP over a Madhya Pradesh minister’s comment on Colonel Sofia Qureshi, Kharge said, “What kind of punishment should such people face? A woman serving in the country’s armed forces is being targeted.”

He noted that Congress demanded the minister’s resignation, but Modi continues to keep him in office. Kharge added, “First, remove the traitors within the BJP and then talk... She (Sofia Qureshi) was targeted because her name is Qureshi. The BJP is full of such bad people. Modi, remove them first.”