In a strong critique of the BJP-led Union Government, the Congress party on Saturday asserted that India’s Armed Forces belong to the entire nation and not any single political party. The remarks were made during the ‘Jai Hind Sabha’ rally in Jabalpur, which was addressed by several senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Ministers Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath, and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel. The rally was part of the party’s nationwide campaign to honor the Armed Forces and personnel for their role in Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, the party’s national general secretary, emphasized, "The army does not belong to any one party, but to the whole nation. There is no question on their valor. The question is about the transparency of the government's intentions and decisions." He also criticized the government’s foreign policy, questioning why the government, after showcasing strength, had reportedly bowed under pressure from US President Donald Trump, particularly in the wake of the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on May 10.
Baghel further stated, "What is the compulsion that those who showed their 56-inch chest are now working under the pressure of US President Trump?" He went on to mention that while the Congress had fully supported the government following the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Modi had not attended the two all-party meetings called in the aftermath. "He did not go to Pahalgam, but to Bihar for election campaigning," he added.
Digvijaya Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, also slammed Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, who reportedly stated that the Armed Forces were "bowing down at the feet of Modi." Singh criticized this comment, saying, "They insult the Armed Forces and say they are in Narendra Modi's feet. This is their mindset." He reaffirmed Congress’s respect for the Armed Forces and its belief in a united nation, stating, "We will be safe only if we remain united."
In a reference to Indira Gandhi’s leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Kamal Nath recalled that despite pressure from the United States, the then Prime Minister stood firm. "I have seen the 1971 war. America put various kinds of pressure, but she did not bend," Nath said.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari further criticized the government, stating, "The Prime Minister has betrayed the nation. He could not take PoK [Pakistan-occupied Kashmir], but if Indira Gandhi had been the Prime Minister today, PoK would have been a part of India."
The Congress leaders also targeted the Modi-led government’s policies, with Singhar alleging that the ceasefire agreement was part of a "gimmick" between Modi and the United States. He further claimed, "Modi is branding himself in the name of the Sindoor Yatra."
Other prominent leaders at the event included Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar, State Congress in-charge Harish Choudhary, and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha, all of whom voiced concerns over the current administration’s policies and its handling of national security.