Kharge said that he will support the government in its fight against Pakistan as he has a citizen’s responsibility, but added that the government isn't bothered about people losing their lives. (ANI Photos)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his visit to Kashmir as he received an “intelligence report” three days before the Pahalgam terror attack. Kharge was addressing the Congress’s ‘Sanvidhan Bachao Rally’ in Ranchi. His comments provoked a sharp reaction from the BJP, which accused him and his party of trying to weaken the country.
Referring to the terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives, Kharge claimed, “I was informed, and it’s published in the media as well, that three days before the attack, an intelligence report was sent to Modiji, following which he cancelled his Kashmir visit.”
“When you were informed about the situation, why didn’t you communicate the same to your intelligence team, security, Kashmir police, and the Border Security Force (BSF), and ensure the safety of civilians?” Kharge said.
Reacting to the statement, BJP national spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “What has happened to Kharge sahab? What all is he saying? On one hand, in the meeting, they say we are standing with the nation, and on the other, they are trying to weaken the country. When he knows that tensions are high, it is a matter of national security, at such a time, to say about the Prime Minister that he did not go to Kashmir because he knew an attack was going to take place — can any statement be more irresponsible than this? That too, by the president of the largest political opposition party?” he said.
“We are very hurt; today, we do not want to do any politics. Kharge sahab, what has happened to you? Please try and understand. Today, the entire population of the country is united, is standing with the government, with the nation, a mock drill is being conducted in the country, and you are saying that the PM did not go to Kashmir deliberately? This is very unfortunate, very hurtful. Today, I too can say a lot of things about you, Kharge sahab, but I will not. And I hope you display some semblance of responsibility… What are your other leaders doing? Someone is making a cartoon of Rafale, someone does something else. You are required to control them, but you too have joined their brigade? This is not right, it is unfortunate, please control this,” he added.
Kharge claimed that while the Modi government had accepted its “failure” in the all-India meeting, they should have also taken responsibility for the lives that were lost.
He said he will support the government in its fight against Pakistan as he has a responsibility as a citizen, but added that the government isn’t bothered about people losing their lives.
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The Congress president also spoke on the BJP’s stance on the caste census. He said that for the adivasis of Jharkhand, Congress will push the government to include the Sarna column in the census, as it is a religion revered by Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Buddha.
“I have highlighted three suggestions in the letter I sent to the Prime Minister yesterday. First, the government should hold discussions with all parties before conducting the census. Second, Adivasis, Dalits, and other backward classes should be given reservation in private institutions. And third, the 50 per cent cap on reservations should be raised,” Kharge said.
The rally was held at the Old Vidhan Sabha ground in Ranchi and will continue for 40 days across all districts of Jharkhand. All India Congress Committee General Secretary K C Venugopal, Chhattisgarh’s ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, and several Congress leaders were present.
Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens.
Expertise & Background
Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities.
Academic Foundation
He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy.
You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
Jatin Anand is an Assistant Editor with the national political bureau of The Indian Express. With over 16 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is a seasoned expert in national governance, electoral politics, and bureaucratic affairs. Having covered high-stakes beats including the Election Commission of India (ECI), intelligence, and urban development, Jatin provides authoritative analysis of the forces shaping Indian democracy. He is an alumnus of Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU) and the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, where he specialized in Print Journalism.
Expertise
High-Stakes Beat Coverage: Throughout his decade-and-a-half career, Jatin has covered some of the most sensitive and influential beats in the country, including:
The Election Commission of India (ECI): Monitoring electoral policy, reforms, and the conduct of national and state polls.
National Security & Intelligence: Reporting on the internal mechanisms and developments within India's security apparatus.
Urban Development: Analyzing the policies and bureaucratic processes driving the transformation of India’s cities.
National Political Bureau: In his current role, he tracks the intersection of policy and politics, offering deep-dive reporting on the Union government and national political movements.
Academic Credentials:
Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU): Alumnus of one of Delhi's premier institutions.
Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai: Specialized in Print Journalism at India's most prestigious journalism school. ... Read More
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