“As if Modi govt expects people to die in defence of its muddle-headed policy in Kashmir”: Congress targets Union

Congress on Friday attacked the Union government over the killing of security personnel in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the ruling establishment does not pause for a minute to pay homage to the killed officers as if the Narendra Modi government expects people to die in the defence of its “muddle-headed policy” in the Valley.

In a post on X, senior Congratulations leader and former home minister P Chidambaram said: “On Wednesday, 13th September, a Colonel, a Major, a DSP and a Rifleman were killed in Kashmir. The ruling establishment — the BJP — does not pause for a minute to pay homage to the martyrs.”

“It is as if the government expects people to die in the defence of its ‘muddle-headed policy’ in Kashmir,” he said.

Four security forces personnel — Colonel Manpreet Singh, commanding officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat, and a soldier — were killed in the encounter with militants in the Gadole forests of Kokernag in Anantnag district on Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, 13th September, a Colonel, a Major, a DSP and a Rifleman were killed in Kashmir

The ruling establishment — the BJP — does not pause for a minute to pay homage to the martyrs

It is as if the government expects people to die in the defence of its muddle-headed…

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 15, 2023

Chidambaram also said that the peace will not return to the Valley as long as the people of Kashmir feel alienated and betrayed.

Several Opposition parties had slammed the BJP on Thursday for holding “celebrations” to mark the success of the G20 Summit on the day security personnel were killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, Congress said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presented a “besharmi ki misaal” (model of shamelessness) by “getting his party” to shower flowers on him at a time senior security forces officials were killed.

Chairman of the Congress ex-servicemen department, Col. Rohit Chaudhary, said: “We are ashamed. What insensitivity! Pradhan Mantri nein besharmi ki misaal pesh ki hai.”

Chaudhary said: “This has not happened the first time. When 40 CRPF jawans were killed, Modi was shooting a film. Yesterday when a commanding officer with another army officer and one DSP of Jammu and Kashmir police made the supreme sacrifice, Pradhan Mantri apna mahima mandan kara rahe the (the Prime Minister was getting himself felicitated).”
He added: “I have talked to a large number of serving and retired officers and soldiers. They are anguished. They are hurt. Every patriot is hurt. Didn’t the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders anticipate what the soldiers and the families of the martyrs would think? They have no sense of shame?”