‘Unfortunate that people want to undo development in Kashmir': Congress' Salman Khurshid on Pak hand in Pahalgam terror
Former External Affairs Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Friday said that it is was unfortunate that 'people (Pakistan) want to undo the development and prosperity that has come to Kashmir.' The Congress leader, who is in Indonesia as part of an all-party delegation to rally support against cross-border terror from Pakistan, also spoke about how India 'sent a message' to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor, which was aimed at terror camps beyond the Line of Control.
While addressing Indonesian think thanks and academia, Khurshid said, 'Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an Article called 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end.'
Khurshid also highlighted that there is an elected government in Kashmir with a 65 percent voter turnout. 'There's an elected government in Kashmir today and therefore for people to want to undo everything that has happened is unfortunate,' he said.
#WATCH | Jakarta, Indonesia | 'Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article… pic.twitter.com/wXcdkfWPlR
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025
The Congress leader also asserted, 'As you know, in this part of the world, nobody can be told to give up a part of your sovereignty, to give up a part of your family. Kashmir and we are family together. Nobody can break up our family and our home. That is the only message we are giving.'
Speaking about Operation Sindoor, Khurshid said, 'The limited exercise that we need to do to keep our family safe is the only thing we did for four days, in which we tried to send a message to Pakistan that please, don't do this misadventure. You will not succeed.'
Salman Khurshid is part of an all-party delegation, led by JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, tasked with briefing countries on Operation Sindoor and India's action and stance against terrorism. Khurshid's delegation is visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore as part of their multi-nation tour.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
Op Sindoor should not be used to derive political mileage
The political class will do better if it stops desisting from trying to derive electoral mileage from the highly successful Operation Sindoor that was executed recently. The military aspects of the operation have been largely praised (even by objective western experts), but the political aftermath has proven far more complex. The ruling party has come under scrutiny for allegedly using the operation's success to enhance its nationalistic image ostensibly for electoral gains. On its part, the Opposition has done little better. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a special parliamentary session to discuss the operation in detail. He raised concerns about inconsistencies in official narratives, particularly surrounding reports regarding the number of Indian aircraft lost during the strikes. He also accused the government of 'misleading the nation.' His statement came after the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan acknowledged the loss of some Indian aircraft but emphasised that the armed forces had adapted quickly to changing tactical scenarios, ultimately achieving the mission objectives. Chauhan categorically refuted Pakistan's assertions of shooting down multiple Indian jets, labelling them as propaganda meant to distort facts. His remarks highlighted the critical role of clear and truthful communication in sustaining public trust and countering misinformation. The political discourse triggered by Operation Sindoor reflects a broader tension between safeguarding national security and navigating partisan interests. While it is natural for political parties to discuss significant national developments, it is imperative that such dialogues remain constructive and rooted in the national interest. Exploiting military operations for electoral advantage not only undermines the integrity of the armed forces but also erodes public confidence in the nation's democratic institutions. As India continues to assess the long-term implications of Operation Sindoor, there is a pressing need for political maturity and a unified stance on issues of national security. Recognising and honouring the courage and competence of the armed forces should transcend political divides. National security must remain above the realm of party politics, treated with the seriousness and dignity it deserves. Also, our political leaders must come to terms with a sobering reality: Operation Sindoor, while tactically successful and symbolically significant, was not a war that we won—nor even a full-scale battle. At best, it was a well-executed skirmish, a calibrated military response to the horrifying Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. Its importance lies not in territorial gains or dramatic military victories, but in the message it has sent loud and clear-Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for supporting and harbouring terrorist outfits. Precision strikes on terrorist camps disrupted their operations and showcased India's strategic capabilities. However, this operation must not be mistaken for closure. The war on terror is a long and evolving struggle, requiring constant vigilance, strategic foresight, and, above all, national unity. True victory will come not with a single strike, but through sustained efforts to dismantle the networks of extremism to be assured of lasting peace and security. Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India's strategic capability and resolve in the face of terrorism. However, its legacy will be defined not just by military precision but by the manner the nation's political leadership chooses to engage with it. By fostering transparency, encouraging responsible dialogue, and prioritising unity, India can ensure that such operations serve their true purpose—protection and security of all its citizens.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Dalit Girl Dies After Rape, Knife Attack; Congress Alleges Hours-Long Wait Outside Patna Hospital
Last Updated: A nine-year-old Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, died after being raped and stabbed. She waited hours for treatment at Patna Medical College, as per Congress leader. A nine-year-old Dalit girl, who was raped and stabbed in Bihar's Muzaffarpur, died at a state-run hospital in Patna after she was left waiting for hours on Sunday. On May 26, a minor girl was raped in her village in Muzaffarpur. According to an official, the girl was brought to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in a critical condition. State Congress president Rajesh Ram alleged that the rape victim had to wait in an ambulance for several hours on Saturday because of the bed's unavailability in the hospital. The incident's purported video was shared on social media platforms, which Ram said exposed the 'insensitivity of the government and the hospital administration. Speaking about the case, a police officer said, 'The girl died this morning. Her throat and chest were brutally slashed by the accused. He had also attempted to kill her by slitting her throat. Her vocal cords were damaged, and she was unable to speak. The accused was arrested." Congress Slams NDA Government In Bihar Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X wrote, 'The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double-engine government was negligent not only in providing security but also in saving her life. We will not sit quietly until the victim's family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers." On Sunday, the state Congress chief said, 'It is a heart-wrenching incident and an insult to our state, headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar." 'The victim died as the law and order and the health system in the state have collapsed. The NDA government in the state and the PMCH administration are solely responsible for the death of the girl. The incident has exposed the insensitivity of the government, the CM and the PMCH," he said. Rathore claimed that the victim was referred to PMCH from Muzaffarpur and she was taken to the state-run hospital at 11 am on Saturday. 'It took the hospital administration more than four hours to provide her a bed, and she was finally admitted there after 3 pm. She was admitted after our intervention. The girl succumbed to her injuries on Sunday morning," the Congress leader said. Later in the day, Congress workers also took out protests across the state against the NDA government and the PMCH administration. The police said that the girl was raped by the accused who lured her on the pretext of offering chocolate and took her to a maize field. Reacting to the incident, Dr Abhijit Singh, Incharge Superintendent of PMCH Patna said, 'The girl was admitted at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur on 26th May. She had neck injuries and internal injuries… After she came here, the doctor examined her in the ambulance. She was taken to the ICU, and doctors from all departments treated her for the entire night. If such an incident takes place with anyone, the family will make allegations of negligence. We actively treated her right after we learned about this case. The doctor examined her in the ambulance, and then she was admitted too." First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:12 IST
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Kept pleading for help': BJP's Nishikant Dubey cites declassified files to slam Nehru's foreign policy
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, targeting former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over his handling of the 1962 Indo-China war. Referring to Nehru's appeals during the conflict, Dubey said, 'Nehru kept pleading for help.' The remark came in response to the Congress party 's criticism of external affairs minister S Jaishankar for 'informing' Pakistan about Operation Sindoor . In retaliation, Dubey took to X to highlight what he called the flawed foreign policy of previous Congress governments, especially under Nehru. Dubey posted a letter written by Nehru to then US President John F Kennedy, calling it 'the second letter written by Iron Lady's father Nehru ji to the American President during the China war. He kept pleading for help.' Sarcastically attacking Nehru's diplomatic approach, Dubey added, 'Pakistan is a brother, a friend, a good neighbour, we will reach an agreement with them, everything was written. But carefully read the excellent foreign policy of the great Nehru ji.' According to Dubey, the US passed Nehru's letter to then Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan . 'America sent this letter to Pakistan's military ruler Ayub Khan. After seeing this letter, did we give Pakistan a chance to attack India in 1965 or not? What can be said about the person who tells the country's weaknesses to foreigners, especially Pakistan?' Earlier in the day, Dubey also responded to Congress leader Pawan Khera's post on X by digging further into history. He referenced another letter, Nehru's 1945 communication to British Prime Minister Clement Attlee regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
