Daijiworld Media Network – Belagavi

Belagavi, Apr 28: State minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H K Patil on Monday defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's controversial "no war with Pakistan" comment, clarifying that the Chief Minister only intended to highlight India's commitment to peace.

Addressing reporters in Belagavi, minister Patil said, "The Chief Minister's remarks were made in the spirit of India's long-standing tradition of peace. However, if national security is threatened and war becomes inevitable, we are fully capable of responding decisively. Our enemies must know that we will not hesitate to protect our nation."

Patil stressed that India has historically been a peace-loving country that avoids unnecessary conflict. "But if provoked, India's response will be firm and unified," he asserted.

When asked about the BJP’s criticism of Siddaramaiah’s remarks, Patil dismissed the political uproar as unnecessary. "National security matters should not be politicised. These issues require serious discussion at the highest levels. The Prime Minister should lead efforts to address them," he said.

Responding to concerns that Siddaramaiah’s remarks had gained traction in Pakistan, Patil reiterated, "The Chief Minister's only intent was to express India's deep love for peace. That must not be misunderstood."

Siddaramaiah’s statement had come amid rising tensions after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

Earlier, speaking to the media in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah had said, "There is no necessity for war against Pakistan. Instead, strict security measures must be taken to ensure the safety of our people. We believe in peace, and the Central government must strengthen security arrangements."

In the wake of criticism, Siddaramaiah later nuanced his position, clarifying that while India does not seek conflict, war must be considered if absolutely unavoidable. "War is never a solution. It should be the last resort," he said during an interaction with the media in Bengaluru.

He also reiterated concerns about security lapses, saying, "The Central government failed to ensure adequate protection despite the region’s history of terror attacks, like Pulwama. This negligence has cost precious lives once again."

Siddaramaiah maintained that acknowledging security failures was not political point-scoring but a necessary step towards ensuring the safety of Indian citizens.