In a post on X, Siddaramaiah criticised the security lapses that led to the attack and said, “There is no need to declare war on Pakistan.”
Published Apr 27, 2025 | 4:35 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 27, 2025 | 4:35 PM
Synopsis: After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised security lapses that led to Tuesday’s deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for a peaceful response, his remarks were picked up by a Pakistani news channel, triggering fierce backlash from BJP leaders and right-wing accounts, who accused him of being soft on terrorism and sympathetic to Pakistan.
A Pakistani news channel’s coverage of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks opposing war with Pakistan went viral on Sunday, 27 April, prompting BJP leaders and right-wing social media accounts to accuse him of being soft on terrorism.
However, the chief minister responded to the criticism, saying that “war should always be a nation’s last resort – never the first, nor the only option”.
Following Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists and left over a dozen injured, Siddaramaiah criticised security lapses in a post on X on Saturday.
“The Union government itself has admitted the security failure in the Kashmir terror attack incident,” he wrote.
“More security should have been provided at a place visited by tourists in large numbers. Earlier, in Pulwama too, 40 soldiers lost their lives. The tourists had gone trusting the Union government, and now, no matter what steps the centre takes, will the 26 people who lost their lives be able to come back alive?”
Calling for a peace-prioritised approach, the chief minister added: “There is no need to declare war on Pakistan regarding terrorist attacks. Steps should be taken to tighten security measures in the Kashmir region. We are not in favour of war, an environment should be created where people can live peacefully. The central government should increase security to ensure peace in Kashmir.”
ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಸೂಚನೆಯಂತೆ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿರಬಹುದಾದ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನಿ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಕಲೆಹಾಕಿ, ಅವರನ್ನು ವಾಪಸ್ಸು ಕಳಿಸಲು ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುವುದು.
ರಾಜ್ಯದ ವಿವಿಧ ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನಿಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನಿಗಳ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆಯಲಾಗವುದು.… pic.twitter.com/TDIXMs3m6i— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 26, 2025
Siddaramaiah also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not attending Friday’s parliamentary all-party meeting held to coordinate a response to the attack.
“It is a shame that the prime minister did not attend the all-party meeting called to discuss the terrorist attack in Kashmir and went to the election campaign. This is an important meeting, the Prime Minister should have been present at this meeting,” he stated.
“However, Narendra Modi seems to think that the election campaign in Bihar is more important than this meeting. The prime minister is doing the job of putting a hat on the people.”
After a Pakistani news channel broadcast his remarks, a clip of the coverage was widely circulated among right-wing accounts, accusing the chief minister of being “pro-Pakistan”.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned Siddaramaiah’s comments, stating: “The entire world is offering condolences to India. Most countries are telling India to teach the terrorists a lesson in a way that they understand. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s words, which say that we should not punish those involved in terrorist activities but strengthen our security, are condemnable. The entire world is condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. However, it has become a habit for Congress leaders to talk lightly about the country without knowing the real situation.”
Several BJP leaders in Karnataka echoed Joshi’s criticism in posts tinged with dog whistles.
“You have become world famous in Pakistan overnight due to your childish and absurd statements. Congratulations to you. If you ever visit Pakistan again, you are guaranteed royal hospitality. It is no wonder that the Pakistani government has honoured you with the highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, as a great peace ambassador who has advocated for Pakistan,” wrote Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, in a post on X.
“When the country is facing a very sensitive situation, with the threat of war looming over the border, you are not acting like a puppet of an enemy nation. The presence of people like you in public life is the biggest tragedy of our country.”
“ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ರತ್ನ” ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ,
ತಮ್ಮ ಬಾಲಿಶ, ಅಸಂಬದ್ಧ ಹೇಳಿಕೆಗಳಿಂದ ಈಗ ರಾತ್ರೋರಾತ್ರಿ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ವರ್ಲ್ಡ್ ಫೇಮಸ್ ಆಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೀರಿ. ತಮಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು. ಮುಂದೆಂದಾದರೂ ತಾವು ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ತಮಗೆ ರಾಜಾತಿಥ್ಯ ಗ್ಯಾರೆಂಟಿ. ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದ ಪರ ವಕಾಲತ್ತು ವಹಿಸಿದ ಮಹಾನ್ ಶಾಂತಿದೂತ ಎಂದು… pic.twitter.com/OjcCkrEMtb
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) April 27, 2025
BJP State President BY Vijayendra echoed Ashoka’s comments: “Big Cheers for Wazar-e-Ala [Chief Minister] Siddaramaiah from far across the Borders! Pakistani media is all too praise for Siddaramaiah and visibly disappointed at the backlash he is receiving from BJP & others, for his comments against war with Pakistan! Nehru was taken around in an open Jeep around the streets of Rawalpindi, as Pakistan was too happy with Nehru for signing the Indus Water Treaty, that favoured Pakistan. Is Siddaramaiah going to be the next politician from India to be taken around in open Jeep in Pakistan?”
Meanwhile, BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan accused the chief minister of being insensitive: “When the country is in a very sensitive situation, when innocent people are being killed by the most sinful terrorists and thus challenging the country itself, who did you make such a statement to flatter? Don’t you have any other thoughts than vote bank. Doesn’t the outrage of the families of the deceased bother you? Think again.”
In response to the accusations, Siddaramaiah issued a detailed clarification in a post on X, accusing the BJP of twisting his words and diverting attention from critical security lapses.
“I have observed the debates and discussions, both for and against, surrounding the statement I made about war. War should always be a nation’s last resort – never the first, nor the only option,” he wrote.
“Only when every other means to defeat the enemy has failed, should a country be compelled to go to war. The horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, orchestrated by Pakistan-backed militants, has made it painfully clear – both to the people of our nation and to the central government – that there were grave lapses in our intelligence and security apparatus. It is now the government’s solemn responsibility to first correct these shortcomings and to ensure such tragedies are not repeated in the future.”
I have observed the debates and discussions, both for and against, surrounding the statement I made about war.
War should always be a nation’s last resort — never the first, nor the only option. Only when every other means to defeat the enemy has failed, should a country be…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 27, 2025
Meanwhile, he welcomed the Union government’s diplomatic steps such as revisiting the Indus Waters Treaty.
“Not every move needs to be broadcast to the world; rest assured, the nation stands fully united behind every strong and decisive step taken,” he said.
“At the same time, some mischievous elements are attempting to spread hatred and division within the country, disturbing the peace and unity among us. The government must act firmly against such forces too.”
He continued: “Pakistan today is a crumbling, bankrupt state, sick and weakened. They have little left to lose. In contrast, India is rising — a growing superpower in the world order — and hence, we must tread with wisdom and caution. At this crucial moment, nations across the world have come out in strong condemnation of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, standing firmly with India. We must seize this unprecedented global support and teach Pakistan a lesson so profound that they dare not commit such reckless acts ever again.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
