Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday expressed veiled criticism against his own party after being excluded from the list of speakers for the high-profile Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament. He shared a screenshot of a news report and quoted a patriotic song in what many saw as a subtle signal of dissatisfaction with the decision.

Quoting lines from the popular 1970 patriotic song “Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada”, Tewari posted:

“Hai preet jahaan ki reet sada, main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon, Bharat ka rehne waala hoon, Bharat ki baat sunata hoon. Jai Hind.”

These lyrics, translated loosely, convey love for Indian traditions and pride in speaking on behalf of India. The post was widely interpreted as Tewari’s attempt to reassert his nationalist credentials and push back against his exclusion from the debate.

Excluded despite international role

The irony of the situation lies in the fact that both Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor were among the government-nominated members of the all-party delegation that toured foreign capitals following the Operation Sindoor military strike in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Their mission was to convey India’s stance on cross-border terrorism and expose Pakistan’s duplicity to the international community.

Despite this high-level involvement, they were not included in the Lok Sabha speaker list for the Operation Sindoor debate, a move that has raised eyebrows within political circles.

Tewari sought inclusion, Tharoor declined

According to ANI, Manish Tewari formally requested to speak during the debate, but his request went unaddressed. Sources say that Shashi Tharoor declined to participate in the debate entirely.

Party insiders claim that Tharoor informed the leadership that he would not be able to toe the party line, which has been critical of the Modi government’s handling of Operation Sindoor. Tharoor reportedly told the leadership that he viewed the operation as a strategic and military success, and if given a chance to speak, he would publicly reiterate his stance, thereby deviating from the party’s narrative.

Tharoor’s rejection was interpreted as a rejection of partisan criticism in the face of a national security action he supported, reinforcing his independent political image.

Congress in a dilemma

The situation has brought to light the internal dilemma within the Congress party over how to respond to the Operation Sindoor issue. While the leadership appears to have taken a confrontational approach, some senior leaders, including Tharoor and Tewari, seem uncomfortable with adopting a stridently critical tone against a military initiative that they believe reflects India’s rightful security response.

This divergence underscores a larger identity struggle within the Congress party—between those who wish to assert a nationalistic, bipartisan approach on defence matters, and others who believe in opposing the government vocally regardless of the issue.

Manish Tewari’s record and position

Tewari, who represents Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, is known for his active engagement in national security and foreign policy issues. He has served on parliamentary standing committees related to external affairs and defence and is one of the few Congress MPs with a consistent presence in debates on strategic matters.

His exclusion from the Operation Sindoor debate has prompted speculation about whether his views—often seen as more centrist or independent—have led to his sidelining by the party brass.

Widening gap within Congress leadership

The twin developments—Tewari being denied the opportunity to speak and Tharoor choosing to opt out—highlight a growing gap between the Congress high command and its seasoned MPs, many of whom have international exposure and issue-based expertise.

Several political observers believe that the party’s decision to ignore prominent, articulate voices like Tewari and Tharoor may hurt its credibility on foreign policy and national security discussions.

Additionally, both MPs have frequently been seen as ambassadors of India’s bipartisan consensus on terrorism and defence abroad, and leaving them out of a crucial debate risks appearing politically motivated or faction-driven.

Social media buzz and public reactions

Tewari’s post quickly gained traction online. Many Twitter users praised his choice of words and saw it as a dignified protest. Others interpreted it as a warning sign of growing dissent within Congress, particularly among leaders who are not part of the Gandhi family’s inner circle.

This incident has also amplified the perception that Congress may not be unified on its approach to Operation Sindoor or national security matters more broadly.

Conclusion: Strategic or self-defeating?

The exclusion of two high-profile MPs from the Operation Sindoor debate has prompted a wave of criticism, confusion, and commentary. For a party that often accuses the ruling BJP of centralising decision-making, this episode presents a similar image—where individual voices of experience are being suppressed in favour of rigid messaging.

Whether this strategy helps Congress maintain a sharper opposition image or ends up alienating respected voices like Tewari and Tharoor remains to be seen.

In the immediate term, the fallout suggests that Congress continues to grapple with internal contradictions, especially on issues related to defence, diplomacy, and national identity. And in Manish Tewari’s own words, it may be time for the party to start “listening to Bharat’s voice” again.

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