Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, found himself at the centre of a political storm on Wednesday after suggesting that the Pahalgam terror attack was meant to send a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the alleged marginalisation of minorities in India.
In comments made during an interview with ANI, Vadra claimed that the attackers involved in the deadly assault, which killed 26 civilians, were reportedly identifying victims by their religion before shooting them. He linked this act to a broader sense of alienation among minority communities.
“Looking at identities and then killing somebody, that’s a message—also sending a message to the PM of our country. Why? Because Muslims are feeling weakened. The minorities are feeling weakened,” Vadra said.
His remarks have drawn fierce criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of promoting a divisive narrative and alleged that Vadra’s statement revealed an “anti-Hindu mindset.”
BJP spokespersons quickly condemned the remarks, saying they amounted to rationalising terrorist violence and politicising a national tragedy. “Instead of standing united against terrorism, Congress leaders are justifying terrorists by blaming Hindus and spreading communal narratives,” a senior BJP leader said at a press conference.
Vadra, who was recently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe, further commented on what he described as “communal disharmony” within the country. “Communal disharmony in India makes these kinds of organisations feel that Hindus are making a problem for all the Muslims,” he said, referring to the motivations of terror groups.
The Congress party has not yet issued an official response to Vadra’s remarks. However, political analysts suggest the timing and nature of the comments could prove problematic for the party in the midst of ongoing election campaigning, as national security and communal harmony remain key voter concerns.
The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred earlier this week, has already prompted a major diplomatic fallout between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi taking a series of retaliatory steps, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the downgrading of diplomatic ties.
