‘No Freedom for Forces’ in Op Sindoor: Rahul Gandhi

• Rahul Gandhi criticized the government for its silence on US President Donald Trump hosting Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir at the White House.
• He accused the government of lacking political will and not granting armed forces full freedom during Operation Sindoor, contrasting it with Indira Gandhi’s decisive action.
• Gandhi also alleged that no country directly condemned Pakistan for terrorism, hinting at a dangerous “China-Pakistan fusion.”

GG News Bureu
New Delhi, 29th July: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today launched a sharp critique of the government in Lok Sabha, questioning its handling of foreign policy and the conduct of Operation Sindoor, particularly highlighting US President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Pakistan army chief Asim Munir at the White House last month.

During the debate on Operation Sindoor, Gandhi ripped into the government, pointing out that despite India’s outreach to world leaders regarding Pakistani terror, the US President hosted Pakistan’s army chief. He stated that the government did not publicly challenge President Trump on this meeting. “While our delegation is going around telling the world that Pakistan is carrying out terrorism, POTUS is having lunch with Asim Munir. Which planet is our foreign minister from?” Gandhi questioned.

He further elaborated on the meeting, stating, “The mind behind Pahalgam is Asim Munir, and he is having lunch with Trump… Trump has broken all protocol and inviting the man who committed terrorism in India…. the POTUS said he invited Munir to thank him for not escalating the war.” Gandhi alleged that the Indian government has not uttered a word of protest to the US President.

The Congress leader also criticized the international community’s response to Pakistan, arguing, “Not a single country condemned Pakistan but only condemned terrorism. This shows the mindset of these people.” He connected this to a broader concern, alleging it “explains why in his entire discussion yesterday, the defence minister did not use the word China even once. Meaning he is scared. We are facing a China-Pakistan fusion and it is dangerous time.”

Gandhi also challenged the government’s declaration that “any act of terror is an act of war,” alleging that this stance pushes India into a corner, giving terrorists the power to force a war whenever they choose. He accused the government of exposing its “lack of political will to fight Pakistan” and claimed that during Operation Sindoor, the army was sent in “without giving it the freedom to take action.”

He cited Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s reported statement that “Op Sindoor began at 1.05 am and at 1.35 am we called Pakistan to tell them we hit non-military targets,” arguing this shows the government is “clueless about the Army, Navy and Air Force.” He contrasted this with the “decisive” action of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Bangladesh war.