Opposition Condemns BJP's Claims on Operation Sindoor Amidst Rising Tensions
Criticism of BJP's Social Media Claims
On Saturday, various opposition parties expressed their discontent with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly taking undue credit for Operation Sindoor in a video shared on social media.
The video, posted on the BJP's account on the platform X, criticized the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for its perceived inaction during terror attacks between 2004 and 2014.
It specifically pointed out the UPA's approach of engaging in peace talks with Pakistan despite significant terror incidents, including the Mumbai attacks in 2008 and the Hyderabad blasts in 2013, claiming there was 'no retaliation' against the neighboring nation.
The post stated, 'Unlike the UPA regime's inaction, New India has no tolerance for ineffective peace negotiations,' asserting that there would be 'no more peace' with a nation that supports terrorism.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha remarked that this was 'not the time for politics' and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider how such statements might be interpreted by the Pakistani media and the international community.
Jha emphasized, 'Governments may change, but the nation remains.' Meanwhile, Pawan Khera, head of the Congress publicity unit, questioned the BJP's motives, asking if it was appropriate to engage in political maneuvering at such a sensitive time.
Supriya Shrinate, leading Congress's social media efforts, accused the BJP of continuing its 'dirty politics,' asserting that the opposition was fully supportive of the government during this crisis.
She noted that had the opposition made similar statements, they would have faced backlash for prioritizing politics over national interests.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the BJP's post as a 'petty attempt to create political divisions,' recalling the lessons learned from past engagements with Pakistan, particularly after the Pathankot attacks in 2016.
At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way -- after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016.… https://t.co/jRhJ04HAMb
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 10, 2025
Opposition Calls for Restraint in Media Coverage
On Friday, opposition parties also urged the government to take action against media outlets broadcasting 'inflammatory and misleading content.'
In a letter to the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, D Raja, general secretary of the Communist Party of India, expressed concern that certain channels were exacerbating tensions between India and Pakistan and inciting war hysteria without official confirmation.
Raja warned that such reporting could undermine national unity.
Manoj Jha reiterated the need for media restraint, stating, 'There is no need to publicly discuss the movements of our military assets, as this only incites panic.'
Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose condemned mainstream media channels, asserting that they were gaining notoriety for spreading misinformation and disinformation.
Fantasy, lies and fiction. A horror movie of a “mainstream” media channel playing somewhere near you. India’s TV media and certain social media handles are becoming internationally known as outlets for misinformation and disinformation campaigns and spreader of brazen lies.… pic.twitter.com/ZJZAuJgvxV
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 9, 2025