BJP accuses Robert Vadra of 'speaking the language of terrorists', says remarks expose 'problematic' mindset of Gandhi family'

Robert Vadra says minorities are sidelined in India

Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, sparked a massive controversy on Wednesday as he sought to link the heinous attack by terrorists that left 26 civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam to the Narendra Modi-led BJP government's Hindutva push in India.

"If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if they (terrorists) are looking at people's identity, why are they doing this? Because there's a divide that has come about in our country with Hindus and Muslims ... and Christians... The minorities are feeling weakened,” said Vadra.

He said the attack sends a message to the Prime Minister, as minorities feel weakened, and urged the government to ensure security and uphold secular values.

"I see that the minorities are sidelined. When they are praying, they are not allowed to do so on their roofs. If they are in abundance praying on a Thursday or Friday and there is a spillover on the road, they are stopped… there are surveys of mosques,” Vadra said.

The Opposition, while condoning the attack and expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased, has sought to question the government over its failure in preventing the attack that has led to the tragic loss of lives. However, by seeking to link the terrorists' action of choosing civilians from one religion, it also drew criticism for "speaking the language of Pakistan".

Vadra's remarks, if seen closely, echo those of Pakistani Army chief who recently referred to Kashmir as the “jugular vein of Pakistan”.

While addressing a gathering at Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad in which he called Kashmir as Islamabad's "jugular vein", Pakistani Army chief General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah spoke with great passion about the 'two-nation' theory and stressed how Pakistanis are different from Hindus in terms of their culture, ideologies and more.

"Our forefathers thought we are different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religions are different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid there. We are two nations, we are not one nation," he said.

It is being said that Munir’s speech, made in the presence of Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif, could have inspired The Resistance Front (TRF) to carry out attacks on tourists based on their religion in the Baisan Valley in Pahalgam.

The BJP condemned Vadra’s remarks and accused him of "speaking the language of the terrorists".

“Robert Vadra’s remarks are completely condemnable,” BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli told PTI. “This is the same language that terrorists always use to justify their terrorism. It’s clear from Robert Vadra’s remarks that he wants to do politics on such a gruesome terror attack when the entire country is united against it,” Kohli said.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also asked whether Vadra was “speaking the language of anti-national forces".

“Robert Vadra’s statements are not only ignorant but dangerous. By targeting the Modi government in the wake of a massacre sponsored by anti-national forces, he has exposed the deeply problematic mindset within the Gandhi family,” he said.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Congress had begun to “Defend Pakistan sponsored Islamic Jihad” and allegedly dividing the nation by blaming Hindus.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan termed Vadra’s comments “unpardonable” and “indefensible” and said that his words seemed to justify the actions of those responsible for killing Indians.

“Robert Vadra's most disgraceful statements are unpardonable, indefensible. Is he a proxy for Pakistan, or is he a proxy for murderers/terrorists? Because he seems to be speaking the language of terrorists when he pretty much says that there is a justification for these heinous terrorists to kill Indians... The way Robert Vadra is speaking and making statements, it is as if terrorists have a justification to do this…” Keshavan said in a video statement.