NEW DELHI: Businessman Robert Vadra , husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, on Wednesday linked the Pahalgam terror attack to BJP government's Hindutva push in the country evoking a strong retort from the BJP. "If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if they (terrorists) are looking at people's identity, why are they doing this? Because there's a divide that has come about in our country with Hindus and Muslims ... and also christians. Looking at identities and then killing somebody, that's a message to the PM, because Muslims are feeling weakened. The minorities are feeling weakened," Robert Vadra said reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 28 innocent people lost their lives.
"Why are we having communal disharmony in our country. This will create divides. This will create these kinds of organisations feel that Hindus are making a problem for all the Muslims. We don't need that. You ask many Hindus and Muslims together, they help each other. In Covid, we saw they helped each other. They don't understand all these political ways of trying to infuse disorder to win elections," he added while clarifying that it was his personal view and he was not speaking on behalf of the Congress party or his family.
The BJP was quick to slam Robert Vadra for offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them.
"Shocking! Sonia Gandhi ’s son-in-law Robert Vadra shamelessly defends an act of terror, offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. He doesn’t stop there, instead, shifts the blame onto India for the atrocities committed by Pakistani terrorists," BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Vadra and said that his reactions were at the behest of the Gandhis.
"This is the most shameful, atrocious utterance done by the Congress party, Robert Vadra at the behest of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, in a sense to defend the Pakistani terrorists - to give them a clean chit to whitewash this crime of Islamic Jihad and to blame Hindus and to justify the terror," Shehzad Poonawalla said.
BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli condemned Vadra's remarks, accusing him of speaking the language of the terrorists and justifying their barbaric actions.
"Robert Vadra's remarks are completely condemnable. This is the same language that terrorists always use to justify their terrorism. It's clear from Robert Vadra's remarks that he wants to do politics on such a gruesome terror attack when the entire country is united against it," Kohli said, demanding an apology from Vadra.
The BJP spokesperson said Vadra's remarks raise questions about whether the party is playing the politics of double standards.
"What kind of justice is he seeking for the victims who the terrorists had shot dead after asking about their religion. The Congress should immediately issue a clarification. Robert Vadra should apologise,” he said.
Vadra, meanwhile, went on to claim that he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in the land deal case because he had spoken in favour of the minorities.
"Two weeks before, I was summoned by the ED. I had spoken in favour of the minorities. I said when you stop Muslims from doing prayers on roads or roofs of their homes or doing survey of temples under mosques or talk about Aurganjeb and Babur, it will create trouble, he said.
Kharge says not a time for partisan politics
And while Vadra put the blame on the BJP government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge advocated for collective resolve and opposed partisan politics.
"This is not a time for partisan politics. It is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families, by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice," Kharge said.
"We also expect the government to hold discussions with all political parties to address the challenge of terrorism in a spirit of consensus once the necessary actions have been taken and full information has been obtained. They should call an All-Party meeting and take some advice. This is not politics, and we don't want politics in this situation," the Congress president said.
"Why are we having communal disharmony in our country. This will create divides. This will create these kinds of organisations feel that Hindus are making a problem for all the Muslims. We don't need that. You ask many Hindus and Muslims together, they help each other. In Covid, we saw they helped each other. They don't understand all these political ways of trying to infuse disorder to win elections," he added while clarifying that it was his personal view and he was not speaking on behalf of the Congress party or his family.
The BJP was quick to slam Robert Vadra for offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them.
"Shocking! Sonia Gandhi ’s son-in-law Robert Vadra shamelessly defends an act of terror, offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. He doesn’t stop there, instead, shifts the blame onto India for the atrocities committed by Pakistani terrorists," BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X.
Shocking! Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra shamelessly defends an act of terror, offering cover to the terrorists instead of condemning them. He doesn’t stop there, instead, shifts the blame onto India for the atrocities committed by Pakistani terrorists. https://t.co/3CQlCmewjn
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 23, 2025
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Vadra and said that his reactions were at the behest of the Gandhis.
"This is the most shameful, atrocious utterance done by the Congress party, Robert Vadra at the behest of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, in a sense to defend the Pakistani terrorists - to give them a clean chit to whitewash this crime of Islamic Jihad and to blame Hindus and to justify the terror," Shehzad Poonawalla said.
BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli condemned Vadra's remarks, accusing him of speaking the language of the terrorists and justifying their barbaric actions.
"Robert Vadra's remarks are completely condemnable. This is the same language that terrorists always use to justify their terrorism. It's clear from Robert Vadra's remarks that he wants to do politics on such a gruesome terror attack when the entire country is united against it," Kohli said, demanding an apology from Vadra.
The BJP spokesperson said Vadra's remarks raise questions about whether the party is playing the politics of double standards.
"What kind of justice is he seeking for the victims who the terrorists had shot dead after asking about their religion. The Congress should immediately issue a clarification. Robert Vadra should apologise,” he said.
Vadra, meanwhile, went on to claim that he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in the land deal case because he had spoken in favour of the minorities.
"Two weeks before, I was summoned by the ED. I had spoken in favour of the minorities. I said when you stop Muslims from doing prayers on roads or roofs of their homes or doing survey of temples under mosques or talk about Aurganjeb and Babur, it will create trouble, he said.
Kharge says not a time for partisan politics
And while Vadra put the blame on the BJP government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge advocated for collective resolve and opposed partisan politics.
"This is not a time for partisan politics. It is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families, by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice," Kharge said.
"We also expect the government to hold discussions with all political parties to address the challenge of terrorism in a spirit of consensus once the necessary actions have been taken and full information has been obtained. They should call an All-Party meeting and take some advice. This is not politics, and we don't want politics in this situation," the Congress president said.
You may also like
Is Trump taking Ozempic? Conspiracy theories swirl while mystery skin patch reappears on his hand
One Santosh lives, another not so lucky
Meghan Markle reveals Archie's major milestone she needs to leave New York for
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham receive huge Marcus Rashford update amid Man United future claim
Rajasthan Pre Veterinary Test 2025: Application Dates and Details
