Kharge alleged the government ignored prior security warnings in both Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks, and criticised the BJP-led Centre for slashing over 1.8 lakh army personnel post-COVID to cut costs
Published Apr 23, 2025 | 6:18 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 23, 2025 | 6:18 PM
Minister Priyank Kharge. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge slammed the Union Government over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 28, accusing it of ignoring prior warnings. He criticised Home Minister Amit Shah for focusing on political manipulation instead of national security, questioned intelligence failures, and highlighted the post-COVID reduction of 1.8 lakh army personnel as a dangerous cost-cutting measure
Karnataka’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, launched a scathing attack on the Union Government following the deadly terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, which left at least 28 people—mostly tourists—feared dead.
Calling out Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kharge said, “When the so-called Chanakya Home Minister is busy toppling governments, breaking parties, and rigging elections, this is what happens. Where is the intelligence? Where is the surveillance? Where is James Bond Doval?”
Kharge accused the government of ignoring critical security warnings in both the Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks.
“Security lapses were flagged beforehand in both cases. Both ignored,” he stated, adding that the BJP-led Centre had cut over 1.8 lakh army personnel since the COVID-19 pandemic “to save money.”
When the so-called Chanakya Home Minister is busy toppling governments, breaking parties and rigging elections, this is what happens.
Where is the intelligence?
Where is the surveillance?
Where is James Bond Doval?Whether #pulwama of #pahalgam in both cases, security lapses…
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 23, 2025
Taking a direct jibe at Shah, Kharge said, “If Manyavar Amit Shah had shown the same interest in monitoring foreign threats as he does in snooping on opposition leaders or making Jay Shah the ICC President, maybe China wouldn’t be squatting on Indian land and maybe this unfortunate attack could’ve been prevented.”
Kharge expressed hope that the media would respond “more responsibly” than it did during the Pulwama incident.
He also warned against the government downplaying the tragedy or using it to stoke communal tensions. “This government will underreport casualties and blame Congress as usual,” he remarked.
He went further to question whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would demand Shah’s resignation. “Does the PM have the guts to sack Amit Shah? Will the RSS’ aggression be limited to Vijayadashami Utsav speeches and targeting minorities and Dalits, or will they act now?”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned the terror attack , calling it a direct assault on India’s unity and integrity.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Kharge said, “We must stand united in our fight against terrorism. This is a direct attack on the Indian state, and the entire nation is in shock. We must give a fitting response. In this response, we are all one — there must be no premature claims or mismanagement.”
Calling the attack “cowardly and outrageous,” he urged the country to come together in grief and resilience.
Kharge offered his condolences to the victims and their families, saying, “I offer my deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. This is a direct assault on the integrity and unity of India — the most brazen and outrageous attack by terrorists and separatists.”
The 22 April attack in Baisaran Valley—known as “mini-Switzerland,” was one of the deadliest in recent memory.
Rescue operations were severely hampered due to the location’s inaccessibility by road. Injured tourists were evacuated by helicopters and ponies with the help of locals.
Prime Minister Modi, currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, condemned the attack on X (formerly Twitter), offering condolences and assuring that those behind the attack “will not be spared.” He also directed Home Minister Shah to take necessary measures and visit the site.
I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Those behind this heinous act will be brought…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
