The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments in Bhopal, in which he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “surrendering” during a conversation with former US President Donald Trump.
The party has gone so far as to question whether Gandhi is acting on behalf of foreign interests.
In a sharp rebuttal via video message, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks not only belittled Operation Sindoor—a military offensive launched in response to terror attacks—but also disrespected the Indian Army.
"Applying a word like 'surrender' to one's own country and Prime Minister is not becoming of any political leader, let alone one who is looking to lead the nation," Patra said. He went on to say that using such language showed a total lack of patriotism and ethics in leadership.
Speaking to party workers at the Congress state headquarters in Bhopal on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi blamed PM Modi for surrendering to Trump's requirements without a fight.
He told, "Jaise udhar se Trump ne ishara kiya, phone uthaya, kaha – Modi ji kya kar rahe ho. Narendra…Surrender aur ji huzur kar Modi ji ne Trump ke ishare ka palan kiya."
(As Trump gave a signal, he picked up the phone and said, 'Modi ji, what are you doing? Narendra…Surrender,' and Modi in obedience followed Trump's cue.)
Gandhi framed this within a broader political narrative, alleging that the BJP and its ideological parent RSS have a history of submission rather than resistance.
Responding to this, Patra called Gandhi’s remarks an insult to the nation’s counter-terror efforts. Highlighting Operation Sindoor, he said the operation delivered a powerful blow to terrorism, eliminating more than 100 militants and destroying eleven Pakistani airbases—actions supported by credible documentation.
"India did not cringe in the face of terrorism. India struck back with unparallel might, with the firm leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
Patra compared this to India's pre-2014 action, especially in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, when action was mostly limited to filing diplomatic dossiers. "Today, India doesn't give dossiers—it gives doses," he said.
He accused Rahul Gandhi of undermining this transformation in India’s national security posture, and recalled earlier controversies—most notably Gandhi’s reported presence under a Chinese tent during the Doklam standoff, which raised eyebrows over possible foreign ties.
“Is Rahul Gandhi speaking on behalf of India, or for China and Pakistan?” Patra questioned. “His statements often align more with the interests of our adversaries than with our national objectives.”
As political tensions rise, the BJP has positioned Gandhi’s statements as not only politically irresponsible but potentially compromising to India’s national interests.
Read also| Watch| Assam CM Dismisses Pakistan’s Brahmaputra Concerns as ‘Baseless Attempt’
