As India saluted the Pulwama martyrs on Friday, unsavoury politics erupted over the terror attack last year that killed 40 CRPF jawans with the Opposition and the ruling BJP engaging in a bitter war of words.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked about the beneficiary of the terror strike and the CPI(M) questioned the need for a memorial to “remind of our incompetence”. The BJP came out with a stinging attack terming Rahul’s remarks “shameful” and recalling he has been a “known sympathiser of LeT and JeM” even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country will never forget the sacrifice of the martyrs.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Hardeep Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who remembered the martyrs of the February 14 terror attack on a convoy carrying CRPF personnel.

Modi said the slain security personnel were “exceptional individuals” who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation. “Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom,” Modi tweeted.

The trigger for the BJP attack on Rahul came as he asked, “Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?” he posted on Twitter.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the entire nation paid homage to the martyrs of Pulwama and many questions remain. “Why is the report of Pulwama attack not being made public? Who is accountable? Who brought the 350 kgs IED? Why were intelligence reports of attack ignored? Did Devinder Singh have any role,” he tweeted, referring to the Jammu & Kashmir police officer arrested along with two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists.

Paying his “heartfelt homage” to the martyrs of the “ghastly terror attack”, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury wanted to know what had been done for the survivors and the families of those who had laid their lives down for the nation. His party colleague Mohammed Salim demanded justice and asked how 80 kg of RDX crossed the international border. He even questioned the need for a memorial as it would “remind of our incompetence”.

The BJP described Rahul as a “known sympathiser” of terror groups LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed and alleged that the Congress leader chose to target not just the Government but even the security forces at a time when the nation was paying tributes to those killed in last year’s Pulwama attack.

“When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, @RahulGandhi, a known sympathiser of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammad, chooses to target not just the Government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit, Pakistan. Shame on you Rahul!,” tweeted BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao.

Another BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the latter is making a “dastardly comment” on the first anniversary of the terror attack. “That (Pulwama) was a dastardly attack. And this is a dastardly comment. Who Benefitted the most? Mr (Rahul) Gandhi can you think beyond benefits? Of course not. This so-called ‘Gandhi’ family can never think beyond benefits. Not just materialistically corrupt, their souls are also corrupt (sic),” Patra said in a tweet.