Debate on Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha: Priyanka questions Centre's accountability on Pahalgam attack

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday, 29 July, said leadership is not just about taking credit but also taking responsibility. She said that US President Donald Trump's announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan reflects the PM Narendra Modi's "irresponsibility".

Participating in a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on "India's strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam", the Congress MP said Union home minister Amit Shah talked about Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, even her mother's tears but did not answer "why the war was halted at a time when the enemy had nowhere to go".

Expressing gratitude and pride in the Indian armed forces for protecting the nation’s sovereignty she demanded accountability from the government over the Pahalgam terror attack, questioning intelligence lapses, delayed action and absence of political responsibility.

"Leadership is not just about taking credit but responsibility also needs to be taken... First time in the history of our country, this happened that the war was stopped abruptly and the announcement of the decision was done by the US President. This is reflective of the irresponsibility of our prime minister," Priyanka Gandhi said.

She asked whether it is not responsibility of the PM, the Home Minister, the Defence Minister, and the National Security Advisor to ensure people's security.

Pahalgam terrorists killed during Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament: Coincidence?

A speech that spoke to the heart of the entire debate - the victims of Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor would not have happened if 26 families had not witnessed their loved ones being shot in front of them. @priyankagandhi

To the Prime Minister of India, Home Minister and the… https://t.co/fHaJ1iP3IV

— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) July 29, 2025

"Did the government not know thousands of tourists go to Baisaran Valley... Why there was no security there? Why they were left at God's mercy," she asked.

Was no government agency in the know that such a dastardly terror attack is going to happen and a plot is being hatched in Pakistan, she asked.

"It is a big failure of our government and intelligence agencies. Who will take responsibility of this? Has anyone resigned? They keep talking about past but who will answer about what is happening in present," she said.

She also highlighted the government’s delay in designating The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist outfit. Since its emergence in 2020, Priyanka said the TRF had carried out 25 attacks, killing 41 armed forces personnel and 27 civilians. Yet, the Centre declared it a terror outfit only in 2023, she charged.

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