Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 7: A message promoting peace shared by the Karnataka Congress amid the backdrop of the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor was swiftly deleted on Tuesday after it drew sharp criticism on social media.
The Congress party had posted a quote from Mahatma Gandhi on its official X handle, accompanied by a poster stating that “peace is the strongest weapon of humankind.” However, the post was taken down within an hour following widespread backlash from users who accused the party of being tone-deaf during a time of military retaliation against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Facing mounting criticism, deputy chief minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar issued a statement hailing the Indian Army’s strike under Operation Sindoor. He expressed solidarity with the Centre and praised the armed forces for their swift response.
Shortly after, chief minister Siddaramaiah also released a message saluting the bravery of the armed forces and declaring that there was “no place for terrorism on Indian soil.”
Despite the clarifications, social media users circulated screenshots of the deleted post, questioning the party’s stance. Several comments accused the Congress of inconsistency and political opportunism.
One user remarked, “Did you forget what you posted?”, while another said, “Congress is mourning the death of terrorists.” Others claimed the party had “forgotten nationalism” and alleged that its peace message was aimed at appeasing a vote bank.
Critics also resurfaced past instances where Congress leaders had demanded proof of surgical strikes, suggesting that the peace post aligned with that pattern. “This is the same party that questioned our armed forces before. Now, during a strong military operation, they’re preaching peace,” one user wrote.
Mockery too followed. “You post a peace message and delete it out of fear – we like the panic,” said one comment. Others accused the party of sympathising with Pakistan, saying, “If bombs fall on Pakistan, they feel it’s falling on them.”
The incident has added to the growing political friction in the aftermath of the high-profile military action, with Congress now facing questions about its messaging and timing.