Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while addressing a rally in Ranchi, Jharkhand, made a serious political statement that has stirred sharp reactions. Kharge alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his April 19 visit to Srinagar owing to credible intelligence inputs about a likely terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

This remark comes in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the death of 26 people, mostly tourists, triggering a nationwide debate on internal security, intelligence failures, and the Centre’s response to terrorism.

Kharge’s Allegation: Prior Warning Ignored?

Kharge said during his rally that a newspaper report claimed the Prime Minister had received an intelligence alert three days prior to the Pahalgam attack. Referring to this report, he stated:

“If they knew this, why didn’t they do anything? There is an intelligence failure; the government has accepted it. I read this in a newspaper—that PM Modi cancelled his Kashmir visit due to this intelligence report.”

The implication here is strong—Kharge suggests that while the PM was protected by cancelling his trip, ordinary civilians were left vulnerable.

This bold claim, made just days before the May 7 nationwide civil defence mock drill, has intensified political tempers and created questions around transparency and security preparedness.

BJP Responds: Ravi Shankar Prasad Slams Kharge

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to respond. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad labelled Kharge's comments as "irresponsible", questioning the timing and intent behind such a public remark when the country is reeling from a terror attack.

He further accused the Congress of showing double standards—on the one hand claiming to support national interests, while on the other hand making statements that, according to BJP, could demoralize national agencies and spread misinformation.

India's Civil Defence Measures and Mock Drill on May 7

Coinciding with this political row is a significant nationwide civil defence mobilisation announced by the Union Home Ministry. The mock drill scheduled for May 7 will test the country’s preparedness to respond to emergencies like air raids, terror strikes, and war-like scenarios.

The drill is set to be conducted across Civil Defence notified districts, with participation from:

• Civil Defence wardens

• Home Guards

• National Cadet Corps (NCC)

• NSS volunteers

• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)

• School and college students

Some of the key aspects of the mock drill include:

• Testing of air raid sirens

• Blackout exercises across residential and strategic zones

• Training civilians on emergency responses

• Operational testing of hotline and radio communication links with the IAF

• Firefighting and first aid simulations

• Infrastructure protection rehearsals at airports, oil depots, and railyards

This is the first such mobilisation since 1971, when India last went to war with Pakistan.

Pahalgam Attack and the Indus Waters Treaty Fallout

The Pahalgam attack has significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with the Indian government responding by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a bilateral agreement that had been in place since 1960 to manage water-sharing between the two countries.

This suspension is being viewed as one of the most severe punitive diplomatic measures in recent years. It reflects the Indian government's frustration with Pakistan's alleged inaction against terror networks operating from its soil.

Kharge’s Balancing Act: Supports Govt on Pakistan Response

Despite his sharp criticism of the Central Government’s intelligence handling, Kharge made it clear that the Congress supports any strong action taken by India in retaliation to the terror strike.

“Congress stands with the government for any action against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. The country is supreme,” said Kharge, striking a nationalist tone even while holding the government accountable.

This statement is being seen as an attempt to draw a line between criticism of domestic administrative lapses and external national unity against a common enemy.

Questions Raised: Transparency, Intelligence & Security

The controversy has opened a Pandora’s box of questions that many in the public sphere are now asking:

• If there was credible intelligence three days before the attack, why wasn’t security heightened for civilians?

• Did PM Modi really cancel his rally due to this intelligence? If yes, why was the alert not made public to prevent mass casualties?

• Was there indeed an intelligence failure, as suggested by Kharge and partially admitted by some officials?

The role of intelligence sharing, decision-making at the highest levels, and political responsibility have become central themes in the ongoing discourse.

Opposition’s Growing Critique Over Security Handling

Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have started amplifying their critique of the Modi government’s handling of terrorism and border issues. While they have not backed out of supporting firm action against Pakistan, they are also holding the government accountable for security lapses on Indian soil.

Kharge's speech in Ranchi reflects this two-pronged strategy—criticising governance while backing national interests.

A Nation on Edge: Politics, Security and Civil Mobilisation

With civil defence drills scheduled across India on May 7, and tensions escalating both politically and militarily, the country finds itself in a highly sensitive phase.

The outcome of the mock drill, the ongoing political sparring, and India's next steps diplomatically and militarily with Pakistan will set the tone for national security debates for weeks to come.

The timing of Kharge's remark, just as citizens are being trained for air raids and blackouts, adds a dramatic layer to the narrative of national readiness.

Conclusion

Kharge’s allegations about PM Modi cancelling a public appearance due to a terror alert have reopened debates around accountability, preparedness, and transparency in governance.

As the government prepares for the May 7 civil defence drill, the public, political observers, and security analysts will be watching how India navigates the complex space between internal political rivalry and external threats to national security.

The nation now waits to see whether unity or division will define its response to crisis.

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