How Indian politics on air strikes is playing out in Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The joint statement of 21 opposition parties expressing anguish over what they alleged was “blatant politicisation” by the Modi government of the sacrifices of the armed forces has found an echo in Pakistan. During these times of heightened tensions between the two countries, the current political debate in India on the fallout of the air strikes is also being used in Pakistan as part of the propaganda war.

On Wednesday, the 21 opposition parties met in Parliament Library to discuss the Pulwama attack on a convoy of CRPF personnel on February 14 and its aftermath. They issued a joint statement after the meeting and which was also read out to the media by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The statement condemned the “dastardly” Pulwama terror attack by “Pakistan-sponsored” terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The leaders paid homage to the soldiers killed in the attack and expressed solidarity with the armed forces.

However, they also expressed anguish over what they alleged was “blatant politicisation” of the sacrifices of armed forces. Expressing concern over the prevailing security situation in the country, the statement said, “Anguished over blatant politicisation of sacrifices of armed forces by the ruling party. Urge the government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity.”

“National security must transcend narrow political considerations,” the joint statement added.

It also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “regrettably” not convened an all-party meeting as per established practice.

This statement was immediately used by the Pakistan government to allege that India was divided over security issues.

In a television interview, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi alleged that for the first time the Indian opposition parties have openly have exposed the intentions of the ruling party.

“What will we (in Pakistan) gain from by doing this? But India was bent upon drawing political mileage out of the Pulwama incident. The joint communique which the (Indian) opposition parties have issued says the ruling BJP government is using Pulwama to meet its own political ends,” Qureshi said.

Even as Pakistan used the opposition statement for its own propaganda, Finance minister Arun Jaitley took exception to the opposition’s charge and also the manner in which it was being misused in Pakistan. He charged that the opposition’s “ill-advised” statement was being used by Pakistan to bolster its case.

In three tweets, he said, “The cross-border terror attack in Pulwama was a reality. The Balakot Operation was India’s anti-terror preemptive strike to defend its sovereignty… The whole nation has spoken in one voice. Why, then is India’s opposition alleging that the government is politicising our anti-terror operations?”

Making an appeal to India’s opposition, Jaitley said, “Let the country speak in one voice. Please introspect. Your ill-advised statement is being used by Pakistan to bolster its case.”


However, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala quickly issued a riposte. In a tweet, he said, “Mr Jaitley, It’s BJP & its leadership who require real introspection. The entire opposition stood as one backing the armed forces and the government. Still, (BJP president) Amit Shah and the entire BJP resorted to credit-seeking for the sacrifice of our martyrs and indulged in blaming the Congress provocatively.”