Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led NDA government during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, questioning the sudden ceasefire announcement and the lack of security presence at the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, the site of a recent deadly terror attack.

Speaking during a special three-day parliamentary discussion titled “India’s strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam,” Priyanka Gandhi expressed both praise for the Indian Armed Forces and sharp criticism of the government’s handling of the situation.

She questioned why no security forces were present in Baisaran Valley despite it being a major tourist hotspot, and why no preventive action was taken even after intelligence suggested a terror plot was being hatched in Pakistan. “Why was the operation stopped abruptly?” she asked, pointing to what she described as Prime Minister Modi’s lack of responsibility.

“Leadership is not just about taking credit. Responsibility needs to be taken too… For the first time in Indian history, a war-like operation was halted abruptly. This reflects the irresponsibility of our Prime Minister,” she said.

According to Priyanka Gandhi, the attack, which resulted in 26 civilian deaths, was a clear failure of the government and intelligence agencies. She demanded to know whether any government official had taken moral or administrative responsibility. “Has anyone resigned?” she asked pointedly.

Further pressing her argument, Priyanka questioned:

• Why there was no security in a high-footfall area like Baisaran Valley?

• Why citizens were left unprotected?

• Why were no warnings issued or preventive detentions made despite intelligence inputs?

She noted that while members of Parliament and ministers have personal security, the victims in Pahalgam had no protection. She criticised the government’s evasion of questions, suggesting that the administration was more focused on political optics and publicity than the safety of ordinary citizens.

“Most of the people in this House have security cover. But 26 people were murdered in front of their families in Pahalgam. No security was present. No number of operations can hide from this truth,” she added.

Gandhi went on to rebuke Union Home Minister Amit Shah for referencing the actions of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, instead of addressing the pressing issues of the present. She also criticised Shah for bringing up her mother Sonia Gandhi’s emotional response, rather than explaining the government’s rationale behind calling a ceasefire during an ongoing counter-terrorism operation.

One of the most emotionally charged moments of her speech was when she read aloud the names of the 25 Indian civilians who were killed in the attack. As she began, some treasury bench members interrupted, shouting “Hindu”, implying the religious targeting of victims. Priyanka replied with a single word: “Bharatiya,” reinforcing that the victims were Indians first, regardless of religion.

“These were Indians. Sons and daughters of our soil. We owe their families the truth. Not a political narrative,” she said.

Gandhi also referenced US President Donald Trump, stating that it was he who announced the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which in her view, showed Modi’s failure in managing the crisis diplomatically and independently.

She ended her speech by demanding accountability from the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, and the National Security Advisor (NSA), saying that responsibility for the lives lost cannot be brushed aside.

Political Fallout and Broader Implications:

This heated speech by Priyanka Gandhi comes amid mounting pressure on the government from opposition leaders, who are demanding a transparent explanation and greater accountability in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy. Other Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, echoed her sentiments in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Centre to track down and eliminate all remaining terrorists involved in the massacre.

In response, the BJP-led government has so far maintained that Operation Sindoor was a tactical success, emphasizing swift retaliation and damage inflicted on terror camps across the LoC. However, critics argue that the abrupt halt to the operation—without clear outcomes—raises more questions than answers.

Security Oversight and Intelligence Questions:

Opposition MPs are also demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the intelligence failure, and whether multiple agencies overlooked vital inputs indicating an imminent threat. This failure is even more concerning given that Kashmir was already on high alert, and Pahalgam was witnessing heavy tourist activity.

According to some media reports, local intelligence units had already flagged suspicious movement along forest routes from across the border, but these alerts may not have been acted upon in time. Gandhi’s speech seems to reflect growing unease in civil society and opposition circles about the gap between the Centre’s rhetoric and ground-level security preparedness.

Emotional and Political Resonance:

The emotional intensity of Gandhi’s address, especially as she read out names of the deceased, struck a chord even with some neutral observers. It placed the human cost of the terror attack front and centre, pushing the debate beyond usual political boundaries.

The debate over Operation Sindoor is now rapidly evolving into a larger conversation about accountability, leadership, and national security strategy—one that is expected to intensify ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament and possibly become a major issue in the upcoming state elections.

Conclusion:

Priyanka Gandhi’s powerful speech in the Lok Sabha reflects deepening opposition concerns over the Centre’s handling of internal security, the mishandling of Operation Sindoor, and failure to protect civilians in a conflict-prone area. Her call for accountability and truth strikes at the heart of a broader democratic expectation: that leadership must come with responsibility, especially during a national crisis.

As the political storm around the Pahalgam terror attack continues to grow, the Centre will now face renewed scrutiny over its policies in Kashmir, the role of intelligence agencies, and the true objectives of Operation Sindoor. Whether the government will respond with transparency or defensiveness remains to be seen, but for now, the opposition has firmly shifted the narrative back to accountability.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Highway Infrastructure, Flysbs Aviation, Part Electricals & Engineering, Jyoti Global Plast, M&B Engineering, Cash Ur Drive Marketing, Renol Polychem, Jyoti Global Plast, Takyon Networks, Mehul Colours, Sri Lotus Developers & Realty, Jyoti Global Plast, B.D. Industries (Pune), NSDL.

The Current active IPO are Aditya Infotech, Lakshmi India Finance, Kaytex Fabrics, Umiya Mobile, Repono, Shree Refrigerations, Sellowrap Industries, Shanti Gold International, Patel Chem Specialities.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.