Congress faced a storm of criticism after it posted and later deleted a controversial image on X, showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a “missing in action” context, following the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. The post sparked strong reactions, with the BJP accusing Congress of using imagery that resembled the “sar tan se juda” slogan linked to anti-national sentiments.
The BJP quickly seized on the incident, claiming that Congress’s actions reflected support for Pakistan. Pradeep Bhandari, a BJP spokesperson, stated that the post was deleted under pressure from the public, stressing the anti-national accusations against Congress. The controversy intensified when a former Pakistani minister reshared the post with the hashtag “Naughty Congress,” further fueling the debate.
In defense, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate clarified that the post was inspired by a film poster from Gayab, which featured actor Tusshar Kapoor, and emphasized that it did not explicitly reference the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Supriya Shrinate questioned why the BJP interpreted the post as directed at PM Narendra Modi, pointing out the absence of his name in the image. She also posed questions about PM Narendra Modi’s response to national security failures, including the disappearance of a BSF jawan and security lapses in Kashmir.
Following the uproar, Congress took a strict stance, reminding all party leaders to adhere to its official line, particularly regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. Disciplinary action was promised against any member who strayed from this directive. KC Venugopal, Congress General Secretary, issued a formal reminder to party officials, reinforcing that all statements, including social media posts, should align with the official party stance.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions within Congress as it struggles to maintain internal discipline and navigate its public messaging amid critical national issues.
