BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has ignited a fresh political controversy by accusing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of surrendering 828 square kilometres of Indian land in the Rann of Kutch to Pakistan in 1968, a move he claims was taken despite India’s military victory in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. His comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate over the Congress party’s historical decisions and have stirred discussions on national security, leadership, and foreign policy choices made during Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

Taking to social media platform X, Dubey shared a post alleging that the Congress government, led by Indira Gandhi at the time, opted for international arbitration under the United Nations, which led to India ceding a large chunk of territory to Pakistan. Dubey backed his claims by referencing an official document and stated that Yugoslavia's representative Ales Bebler was appointed by India during the tribunal proceedings.

He didn’t hold back in his criticism, calling Indira Gandhi the so-called “Iron Lady” who gave away Indian territory out of fear. He went on to say, “After winning the 1965 war, the Congress gave away 828 sq km of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to Pakistan in 1968. We brought the issue to the international forum and appointed a Yugoslavian lawyer as mediator. Parliament opposed it, but Indira Gandhi, out of fear, surrendered the land. This is the truth of the Iron Lady. Congress's hand is always with Pakistan.”

This remark comes at a politically charged moment, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress continue to clash over matters of national interest and historical accountability. Dubey’s comments target the legacy of Indira Gandhi, whom the Congress has frequently celebrated for her decisive leadership, particularly in the context of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and her firm stance during military confrontations.

In response to the current discourse, Congress has showcased posters bearing slogans like “Indira Hona Aasan Nahi” and “India Misses Indira”, aiming to portray her as a resolute leader who made tough choices during turbulent times. However, Dubey’s allegations put a spotlight on an earlier phase of her rule that, according to him, included strategic blunders and unjustified compromises.

Adding to the political tension, Dubey also referenced a 1991 agreement signed under a Congress-backed government, which required India and Pakistan to share military deployment information. This was in response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s questions about the silence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding Indian Air Force losses during Operation Sindoor.

“Rahul Gandhi ji, this is an agreement made during the time of your government. In 1991, your party-supported government agreed that India and Pakistan would exchange information about any attack or army movement. Is this agreement treason?” Dubey asked, framing the 1991 decision as a continuation of what he perceives as Congress’s weak stance on national security.

He further accused Congress of pandering to a vote bank allegedly sympathetic to Pakistan, and questioned the appropriateness of making derogatory remarks against the current Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, saw India conducting precision strikes against terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). More than 100 terrorists were reportedly neutralised. In retaliation, Pakistan responded with shelling and drone strikes along the border, leading India to strike back at 11 Pakistani airbases. By May 10, both sides had reportedly agreed to cease hostilities, marking a tense yet controlled conclusion to the escalation.

The BJP has strategically used historical flashpoints like the 1968 Rann of Kutch arbitration to highlight what it claims are Congress’s past failures in protecting national interests. The party has consistently drawn comparisons between the decisive military actions taken under BJP-led governments and what it alleges to be appeasement politics or strategic weakness under Congress rule.

This fresh round of attacks by Nishikant Dubey is not just a political manoeuvre, but also part of the BJP’s larger narrative of nationalism and strong leadership. By invoking episodes such as the loss of Indian territory despite military victories, the BJP aims to undermine the Congress’s claim over a legacy of bold leadership.

At the heart of this debate is the larger issue of how historical events are interpreted and leveraged in present-day politics. The Rann of Kutch arbitration was, at the time, seen as an effort to bring a peaceful resolution to the India-Pakistan border dispute, especially following the trauma of the 1965 war. However, critics like Dubey argue that such decisions, regardless of the context, should be seen as diplomatic failures, especially when they result in territorial loss.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders have not issued a direct rebuttal to Dubey’s claims yet, but party sources suggest that a formal clarification may be released. The party is expected to defend Indira Gandhi’s legacy, possibly by highlighting her other landmark achievements and dismissing the BJP’s claims as political propaganda ahead of upcoming elections.

As the 2025 political climate continues to heat up, incidents from the past are likely to be frequently resurrected. Whether these historical references will resonate with the voters or be seen as diversions from current governance issues remains to be seen.

The unfolding war of words between Nishikant Dubey and the Congress Party underscores the enduring importance of historical memory in Indian politics, especially when it intersects with issues of territorial integrity, national pride, and leadership legacy. What is certain is that as elections draw closer, the Rann of Kutch episode from 1968 will likely be a repeated point of contention in the larger political narrative being shaped for the Indian electorate.

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