‘Muslims Targeted’: Why Vadra’s Repetition Of Pak Narrative On Pahalgam May Only Hurt Congress

Last Updated:April 23, 2025, 18:59 IST

Pulwama redux for Congress: “I don’t support Pakistan. But the PM must also…follow secular politics. Look at Muslims being targeted…and now see Pahalgam,” says Robert Vadra

Robert Vadra has sparked a row with his comment on the Pahalgam attack. (PTI File)

The Congress has issued a directive to its leaders to refrain from making out-of-line and out-of-context remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack. This is evident from the nuanced stance taken by the Gandhis, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and others.

However, Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra has stoked controversy by breaking this line and directive.

Speaking to News18, Robert Vadra said, “I condemn the act of terror. I don’t support Pakistan. But the PM must also take responsibility and follow secular politics. Look at Muslims being targeted, churches being burnt, and now see what has happened in Pahalgam.”

This comment has created a stir on multiple grounds.

First, it echoes the sentiments often expressed by Pakistan, which has frequently raised human rights issues in Kashmir as a reason for the valley’s need for freedom.

Vadra’s words resonate with Pakistan’s narrative, a point seized upon by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP’s Amit Malviya was quick to respond. “Shocking! Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra shamelessly defends an act of terror, offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. He doesn’t stop there, instead, shifts the blame onto India for the atrocities committed by Pakistani terrorists,” he wrote on X.

When questioned, Vadra told News18, “I don’t support Pakistan at all. But we also need to see the situation on the ground.”

THE PULWAMA DEBACLE

The Congress already suffered politically after the Pulwama attack. Its hesitant response to the Pulwama issue and some of its leaders questioning the surgical strikes had damaged the party, with repercussions continuing to this day.

Since the 2019 election loss, the Congress has attempted damage control, but is yet to recover and fully repair the harm.

Following the 2019 debacle, many within the Congress, during the CWC meeting and some from the communication department like Rachit Seth, had accused the party of misjudging its counter-strategy and being overly influenced by Left-leaning leaders.

Over time, the Congress has criticised the BJP and the PM for undermining the Congress’s contributions to nationalism, highlighting their past losses of PMs to terrorism.

However, Vadra’s comments have undermined any progress made by the Congress in mitigating the damage.

Vadra has inadvertently aided the BJP in tarnishing the image and perception of the Congress once again.