New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): The Congress on Wednesday strongly condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's attempts to allegedly politicise Operation Sindoor.

The party asserted that Operation Sindoor was carried out by the country's defence forces, and no political party can assert an exclusive claim over it, as is being attempted by the BJP.

A meeting of senior Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi and other members of the Congress Working Committee who were present in Delhi, was held here today.

The meeting expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers, officers, and civilians killed in Poonch.

'The nation stands united in grief and resolve. The Indian armed forces have time and again risen to the occasion, defending the sovereignty and integrity of our nation with valour,' the resolution said, while reaffirming, 'the Congress Party reiterates its complete support to our armed forces.'

The resolution took serious note of the terror attack in Pahalgam, saying it raised deeply troubling questions about an apparent intelligence failure.

'Despite heightened tensions and known threats in the region, the terrorists managed to execute a major attack, claiming precious lives,' the resolution noted, adding, 'while we wait for an official assessment, it is unfortunate that no accountability has yet been fixed.'

It pointed out that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack remain at large, and demanded their immediate apprehension and prosecution.

The CWC demanded that the government explain how such a lapse was allowed to occur, and why necessary preventive measures were not taken despite clear warnings.

'National security cannot be managed through public relations exercises on television; it demands professional rigour, vigilance, and institutional accountability,' it asserted.

Expressing surprise over the sudden ceasefire, it said, 'equally surprising was the abrupt end to India's retaliatory action against Pakistan, which has left behind a trail of unanswered questions.'

The sudden halt, without clarity or communication, has led to speculation and concern across the country, it observed, while noting, 'added to this was the deeply problematic statement by the US President Donald Trump, who was the first to claim that a ceasefire was brokered with the use of trade threats and pressure on India.'

It added that the silence of the Government of India on this matter was inexplicable and unacceptable.

Referring to the attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue, the CWC resolution noted, 'successive Indian governments, cutting across party lines, have firmly maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.'

However, it pointed out that President Trump's assertion--left unchallenged by the Modi government--has 'internationalised' a matter that must remain firmly within bilateral frameworks.

'This represents a dangerous and unprecedented hyphenation of India with Pakistan, which compromises our national position and prestige,' the resolution warned.

The CWC resolution also strongly condemned the appalling statement of a senior BJP minister in MP government towards a senior woman Army officer.

'Such behaviour is not only disgraceful, but undermines the dignity of our armed forces and the principles of gender respect within the military,' it observed, while demanding his immediate resignation and calling upon the government to initiate strict action under applicable laws.

The CWC reiterated the demands already put forward by the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for an immediate all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the convening of a special session of Parliament.

'At this time of national crisis, the government must take the Opposition and the people of India into confidence. Transparency, unity, and democratic dialogue are not weaknesses, but are the bedrock of strong and effective governance. The nation deserves answers, not evasion,' it added.

Condemning the attempts of the BJP to make Operation Sindoor a partisan affair, it said, 'Since 22 April, we have consistently advocated for unity and solidarity. Yet, on the 25th of this month, the Prime Minister has convened a meeting exclusively with NDA Chief Ministers.'

This, the CWC rued, is a blatant attempt to politicise the operation. It asked why the PM has not attended a single all-party meeting so far and said that at a time like this, he should have convened a meeting of all Chief Ministers, cutting across party lines.

Later briefing reporters, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera, announced that the Congress would be holding 'Jai Hind' rallies in various cities across the country.

Ramesh asked why the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister were silent over the role of the U.S. President, who was repeatedly claiming that he had facilitated the ceasefire.

Referring to the politicisation of Operation Sindoor, he remarked, 'there is maximum silence on real issues and maximum politicisation of Operation Sindoor.'

He said Operation Sindoor is not one party's brand, but the brand of the entire nation, that of the Indian armed forces.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawan Khera said the Congress strongly objected to the hyphenation of India and Pakistan by Donald Trump. He said his party also has strong objections to President Trump equating the Indian and the Pakistani Prime Ministers.

He said a strong denial was needed from the Prime Minister over what Trump had said, but it did not come. The PM could have inserted a one-line denial in his address to the nation, he observed. (ANI)