On Monday, the party issued a stern directive to the leaders to follow the party line or steer clear of speaking on the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The party insisted that its position on the sensitive matter is communicated only through the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution and statements of top leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and authorized All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesmen.
General Secretary K.C. Venugopal explained that following anything other than this line would amount to a serious breach of party discipline. In a letter to all the party workers, Venugopal reiterated the party's profound distress at the "horrendous terror attack in Pahalgam" and renewed the Congress's "unwavering solidarity with the nation during these moments of grief."
Venugopal also emphasized the importance of unity and maturity at this juncture by stating that the Indian National Congress must exercise responsibility, bearing witness to the party's very long history of national service in government or in opposition.
This comes after remarks by some of the party leaders that caused a storm, with the BJP accusing some Congress leaders of speaking in language similar to "Pakistan's language." The CWC had, in its April 24, 2025, resolution, condemned the attack, suspected to have been carried out by Pakistan, as an assault on the Indian Republic's values. The resolution also called for a proper investigation into intelligence failure and security failures, while Kharge and Gandhi endorsed the government's response to the attack.
The April 24, 2025, CWC meeting had a resolution condemning the cowardly terrorist strike on tourists in Pahalgam two days ago," said Venugopal. He explained that every party office-bearer, whether holding an office or not, is required to align their comments and public statements with the party's official stand and the CWC resolution.".
Venugopal urged all functionaries to be rigorously disciplined and uniform in their public utterances, emphasizing that words should only be spoken by authorized spokesmen in accordance with the party line.
He ended by stressing the long history of national responsibility of the Congress party, asserting, "Every Indian yearns for justice to the families of innocent citizens who were killed and also for accountability from the government." He also warned of stern disciplinary action for any violation of this directive.
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