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Within an hour of MEA briefing on details of the understanding between India and Pakistan, Congress social media handles were talking about the 1971 war led by Indira Gandhi
The Congress made the point that the present understanding was a sellout. (PTI/X)
The ceasefire between the Opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended with the announcement of the understanding between India and Pakistan.
Within an hour of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press conference giving details of this understanding between India and Pakistan, Congress social media handles and leaders were talking about the 1971 war led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Congress made the point that the present understanding was a sellout, unlike Indira Gandhi’s in 1971, when she had made Pakistan crumble, signed the understanding, and had taken it to its culmination.
Till Operation Sindoor was on, the Congress and most opposition parties remained silent but gave full support to the government. From hailing our forces to standing solidly behind them, no bickering was seen between the BJP and Opposition — it was important to send out the message that all were on the same page in this fight against Pakistan. However, within moments of the understanding being announced, the truce was shattered.
The Congress is questioning this ceasefire on two grounds.
One, why US President Donald Trump announced it and why did a third party mediate?
Secondly, given Pakistan’s track record, why was the fight not fought till the finish?
The Congress is making the point that even the optics of the understanding make India look weak. The Congress has released pictures of Indira Gandhi signing the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan after the 1971 war.
But the BJP was quick to retaliate and point out that the situation in 1971 was different from 2025. In fact, the BJP has always blamed the Nehru doctrine and the Congress’s policies as the reason why Pakistan was able to carry out these acts. The BJP has also cited this and the economic measures taken against Pakistan, which made it humble, as reasons for their actions.
The BJP said that the wording “the next act of terror will be seen as an act of war” is a new war doctrine.
#WATCH | Delhi | On the understanding reached between Indian and Pakistan, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “We had reached a stage where the escalation was needlessly getting out of control. Peace is necessary for us. The truth is that the circumstances of 1971 are not the… pic.twitter.com/dowttNX1wj— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2025
Interestingly, once again Congress’s Shashi Tharoor toed a line similar to that of the BJP, which has given it more ammunition against the Congress. Tharoor, too, has highlighted that 1971 was an achievement, but very different from 2025.
Not just Tharoor, even former home minister P Chidambaram praised the government for its stoic and measured response to Pakistan.
In the next few days, Opposition parties will demand an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session.
Rahul Gandhi has sought a special session of Parliament in a letter to the Prime Minister. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has also made the same demand.
With important elections coming up and a fight for the space of nationalism, it’s clear: the last word is still to be heard over the India-Pakistan agreement.
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