Kiren Rijiju's '1971' Counter To Rahul Gandhi's "Political Will" Face-Off
After a massive parliament face-off over Operation Sindoor, the centre has pushed back against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who had questioned the government's "political will" to strike at Pakistan during the four-day fiery border confrontation.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has shared a 1971 letter from former prime minister Indira Gandhi calling on the then-US president Richard Nixon to persuade Pakistan to desist from attacking India.
"Please give four minutes to see this text of the letter of Smt. Indira Gandhi to President Nixon. Is this the political will of Smt Indira Gandhi ji?" asked Mr Rijiju on X, sharing a link to Ms Gandhi's letter in the US archives. The December 5, 1971, letter followed Pakistan's declaration of war against India and sought to justify any action that may be taken to safeguard the country's security and territorial integrity.
"In this hour of danger, the Government and the people of India seek your understanding and urge you to persuade Pakistan to desist forthwith from the policy of wanton aggression and military adventurism which it has unfortunately embarked upon," wrote Ms Gandhi in her letter.
"May I request Your Excellency to exercise your undoubted influence with the Government of Pakistan to stop their aggressive activities against India and to deal immediately with the genesis of the problem of East Bengal, which has caused so much trial and tribulations to the people not only of Pakistan but of the entire sub-continent," the letter further read.
Mr Rijiju's counter followed Mr Gandhi's charge that the government lacked "political will" to strike at Pakistan and that it left the armed forces with their "hands tied behind their backs" during Op Sindoor.
During the special debate yesterday, Mr Gandhi raised the claims that India had lost some aircraft during the confrontation.
"That happened only because of the constraint by the government. Meaning, you told our pilots and tied their hands behind their backs and told them to go. The defence minister publicly said this in the house. The point is that aircraft were lost because of the constraint by political will. You started the fight and then in the beginning, you said we don't have the political will," Mr Gandhi said in his 40-minute speech.
His accusations followed PM Modi reiterating to parliament that his government had given a free hand to the forces. "They (the armed forces) were given full freedom, and we told them that you will decide when, where, and how to execute the operation. We taught them (Pakistan) a tough lesson, and even today, they are getting sleepless nights," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
28 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
In Varanasi, PM Modi dedicates success of Operation Sindoor to Mahadev, slams Opposition
Addressing a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, the Prime Minister also accused the Congress of repeatedly insulting the valour of the armed forces and even terming 'Operation Sindoor' a "tamasha" (spectacle).
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Resolution of Kashmir problem lies in pens, not guns: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the resolution of the "Kashmir problem" does not lie in violence but in education, emphasising that Kashmir is an educated society. "The resolution of the Kashmir problem does not lie in guns or lathis, but in pens. Kashmiri society is an educated society," Pradhan said, addressing the inauguration ceremony of the nine-day Chinar Book Festival at the SKICC here. The Union Minister of Education highlighted that following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre in 2019, democratic processes are gradually being restored in Jammu and Kashmir. "Numerous things are happening for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Democratic processes have been restored after many years. Several facilities or programmes for the poor and backwards classes, or various laws, which were not being implemented here before, are now benefitting the people of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370," he added. Later, speaking to reporters, Pradhan noted that before the abrogation of Article 370, local elections had not occurred in the Union Territory for several years. "The grassroots-level representation of the people was missing; now, gradually, the democratic system is being restored in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Asserting that normalcy is returning to Kashmir, Pradhan expressed confidence that the tourism sector in the Valley is doing well, local businesses are stabilising, and as the system moves forward, the development of the people will lead to prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. Pradhan announced that to enhance the library movement in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Book Trust (NBT) will implement various Central schemes in the Union Territory. He assured that by next year's Chinar Festival, various books in the local languages of Jammu and Kashmir will be translated into other languages of the country. Additionally, the Union minister mentioned that efforts would be made to establish the Chinar Book Festival as a permanent event. Pradhan celebrated the success of the festival, noting that despite the prevalence of the internet, books still possess the power to engage the new generation.
Economic Times
30 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Op Sindoor: Those who attack India will not survive even in 'paatal lok', says Modi
ANI Op Sindoor: PM Modi says those who attack India will not survive even in 'paatal lok' hell; takes jibe at Oppn for "crying along with Pakistan" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a jibe at Congress and Samajwadi Party for raising questions over Operation Sindoor and alleged that they could not handle the pain Pakistan is going through and are "crying along with them." Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, he said, "Everyone understands that Pakistan is upset. But Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) cannot handle the pain that Pakistan is going through. There, the Aaka (masters) of the terrorists are crying, and here, Congress and SP are crying, seeing the condition of terrorists." On his first visit to Varanasi following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April, PM Modi said that those who attack India "will not survive even in 'paatal lok' (hell)". Slamming Congress for MP Praniti Shinde's 'tamasha' remark for Operation Sindoor, he said that the party insults the valour of the Indian armed forces. "Congress is constantly insulting the valour of our forces. Congress has called Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha'... They dared to refer to our forces' valour and sisters' sindoor as 'tamasha', this is shamelessness," the Prime Minister said. Hitting back at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav who raised questions on the timing of 'Operation Mahadev', PM Modi termed it as vote bank politics."In this politics of vote bank and appeasement, the Samajwadi Party is no less. Their leaders in Parliament were questioning why the Pahalgam terrorists were killed on this particular day. Should I telephone them and ask them before taking any action? Anyone with common sense should be able to answer, do we need to wait to kill terrorists? Should we have given them a chance to flee?"PM Modi further alleged that the SP gave a clean chit to terrorists when it was in power."They are the same people who would give a clean chit to terrorists when they were in power in UP, and now they are upset when terrorists are killed. They have a problem with the name of the operation as Sindoor," PM Modi Minister Modi hailed Operation Sindoor and said that he avenged the loss of the Pahalgam terror attack with the blessings of Lord a public meeting, PM Modi dedicated the success of Operation Sindoor to Lord Mahadev. The Prime Minister said, "This is the first time I have come to Kashi after Operation Sindoor. 26 innocent civilians were mercilessly killed by terrorists in Pahalgam... My heart was full of sorrow. I had pledged to take revenge for my daughters' sindoor, and I fulfilled it with the blessings of Mahadev. I dedicate the success of Operation Sindoor to the feet of Mahadev." He assured that anyone messing with India will not be Modi said, "When there is injustice and terror in front, Mahadev adorns his 'Rudra roop'. The world saw this face of India during Operation Sindoor. Anyone who messes with India will not be spared even in 'pataal lok'."Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7 to avenge the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people.
