Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru/Bengaluru
Mysuru/Bengaluru, Apr 26: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s call for peace and criticism of the Central government following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack has sparked a political row, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accusing him of being unfit to comment on national security or war-related matters.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru on Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah said that waging war against Pakistan in response to the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, is not a necessary course of action. Instead, he urged the Centre to focus on strengthening internal security and ensuring peace for citizens.
"There is no necessity to wage a war against Pakistan. Strict security measures must be initiated. We are not in favour of waging war. There should be peace, people must feel secure, and the Central government should ensure effective security arrangements," he said.
Referring to the events in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, the chief minister held the Central government responsible for what he described as both an intelligence and security failure.
"I have spoken the truth regarding the security lapse behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Proper security arrangements should have been made. That was a tourist spot visited by a large number of tourists. In the same region, at Pulwama, 40 soldiers were killed earlier. They should have been extremely careful," Siddaramaiah stated.
He added, "There was both an intelligence failure and a security failure. The people believed they were safe, but the Central government could not provide them security. The people trusted them, but the Central government failed."
The chief minister questioned the Centre’s delayed response, asking, "Whatever action they may take now, will the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack return?"
When asked about reports alleging the absence of any security personnel at the location of the attack, Siddaramaiah responded, "I don't know. I am yet to speak to the State Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who was sent to Kashmir after the Pahalgam incident, to gather information."
Minister Santosh Lad was assigned to oversee the safe return of Karnataka residents stranded in Jammu and Kashmir following the attack.
Commenting on the issue of Pakistani nationals residing in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said the state government would cooperate with the Centre. "We will provide information to the Central government and initiate steps to send them back. I do not have detailed information about the presence of Pakistani nationals in different cities of Karnataka. However, a larger number of Pakistani nationals are residing in Bengaluru," he noted.
He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "The Prime Minister should have been present at the all-party meeting called in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. They are fooling the people. Which is more important — the Bihar election campaign or the all-party meeting?"
In a sharp rebuttal, BJP leader R Ashoka criticised Siddaramaiah, saying the chief minister was neither qualified nor positioned to comment on matters of national defence.
"It is Karnataka's misfortune that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has 40 years of extensive political experience and has served twice as Chief Minister, lacks even the basic understanding of what to speak and when," Ashoka said on Saturday in Bengaluru.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terrorist attack has taken place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This act, carried out by infiltrators from across the border, is no longer just a matter of national security. It is a direct challenge to India's sovereignty and dignity," he added.
Ashoka said that the entire country should unite beyond political lines, pointing out that even the Congress national leadership had supported the Centre in this matter. "All parties, including your own Congress party's national leadership, have unanimously pledged their support for any decision taken by the Central government," he said.
Referring to India’s military establishment, Ashoka remarked, "Our country has professional armed forces. They have the expertise and experience to decide what actions need to be taken and when. There is no need for your advice in this matter, nor do you have any qualification to offer one."
Ashoka also targeted the Congress-led state government for what he called negligence on internal security matters. "In our state, thousands of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees, and Pakistani nationals are roaming freely. Focus first on identifying and deporting them and ensuring the safety of Kannadigas. Do not unnecessarily poke your nose into matters that do not concern you," he charged.
The exchange between the two senior leaders has underlined the ongoing political tensions surrounding national security, internal intelligence, and Centre-state coordination, with both parties standing firm on their positions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy.