A political face-off erupted on Friday after Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s remarks on the 2016 surgical strikes triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of disrespecting the armed forces. Channi, however, later clarified that he had not demanded proof of the strikes and affirmed his party’s support to the government in dealing with Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

BJP questions Congress’ intent over Channi’s comments

The controversy stems from a press interaction following the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, where Channi commented that the surgical strikes “could not be seen”. Seemingly confusing the 2016 surgical strikes with the 2019 Balakot air strike, Channi said, “They say we had conducted a surgical strike in Pakistan… nothing happened, the surgical strikes could not be seen, nobody found out.”

The BJP swiftly reacted, with Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accusing the Congress and Channi of questioning the integrity of the Army and Air Force. “Charanjit Singh Channi has said again that he does not believe that the surgical strike was carried out and that he wants proof,” Sirsa said, alleging that Congress was echoing Pakistani narratives.

He further challenged Channi to visit Pakistan along with Rahul Gandhi to verify the surgical strike’s locations if he wanted evidence.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also accused Congress of weakening the morale of the armed forces. In a post on X, he wrote, “Rahul Gandhi’s Congress continues to defend Pakistani terror! Now Charanjeet Singh Channi questions our forces. Why is Congress demoralising our forces at this critical time?”

Channi retracts, emphasizes unity in face of terror

Amid the growing backlash, Channi later clarified that he had not sought any evidence of the strike and reiterated the Congress party’s support for national security measures. “We do not ask for proof and no evidence has been sought for it. The issue today is justice for the victims’ families. We are standing with the government,” he said.

He further added, “If the government disrupts Pakistan’s water supply, air or takes any action, we stand with it like a rock.”

Context: Uri attack and India’s 2016 surgical response

The surgical strikes in question were carried out on September 29, 2016, following the deadly Uri terror attack by Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed that killed 19 Indian soldiers. The Indian Army launched cross-border strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation.

Congress’ official stance after Pahalgam attack

The Congress Working Committee, while addressing the Pahalgam terror attack that recently claimed 26 lives, passed a resolution demanding strong action against Pakistan. “The masterminds and perpetrators… must face full consequences. The Congress urges the Government of India to act with firmness, strategic clarity and international coordination,” the resolution stated.

It further emphasized, “This is not a time for politics but a moment that calls for unity, strength, and national resolve.”

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in New Delhi early Thursday morning, having cut short his official visit to the United States. His return comes in response to the recent deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, including one foreign national.

Gandhi is scheduled to participate in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi at around 10:30 am. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had earlier announced the change in Rahul Gandhi’s itinerary due to the grave security situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The government is reportedly preparing for an all-party meeting on Thursday, likely to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to deliberate on the national security response to the attack. The attack, which occurred at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, is being described as the most severe since the 2019 Pulwama incident.

Centre responds with strong diplomatic and security measures

In the wake of the violence, the Indian government has initiated a series of stringent actions aimed at sending a message to Pakistan, which it holds responsible for supporting cross-border terrorism. Among the measures announced are the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and the immediate closure of the Attari integrated checkpost.

Additionally, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri declared that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption framework. These announcements came after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The CCS condemned the attack unequivocally, expressing deep sorrow for the victims and stressing the need for swift action.

Victims’ families demand justice

Emotions ran high across the country as families performed last rites for the victims. Among those killed was Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, whose funeral was held in Karnal. Another victim, Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga, was remembered by family and friends who called for firm government action against terrorism.

This latest incident has reignited national concerns around security in Jammu and Kashmir, especially given its scale and the timing following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a government event in Ponneri, Tiruvallur district, invoking Modi’s own words as Gujarat’s Chief Minister to counter recent remarks about Tamil Nadu’s demands for funds.

Addressing a gathering, Stalin refuted Modi’s claim from a Rameswaram visit that Tamil Nadu leaders were “crying” for central funds regardless of allocations.

“With utmost respect, I remind the Prime Minister of his own stance as Gujarat CM, when he said states aren’t beggars pleading for Union handouts,” Stalin said.

He recalled Modi’s criticism of the Centre’s partisan fund allocations and accusations of Governors running “parallel governments” in opposition-ruled states. “When Tamil Nadu seeks its rightful share, how is it ‘crying’? I’m asserting our state’s rights, not groveling. I learned this from our leader Kalaignar [Karunanidhi],” Stalin asserted.

Minister S.M. Nasar, MPs S. Jagathrakshakan and Sasikanth Senthil, legislators T.J. Govindarajan, Durai Chandrasekar, S. Chandran, V.G. Raajendran, A. Krishnaswamy, K. Ganapathy, S. Sudharsanam, Collector M. Prathap, and senior officials attended the event.

Stalin also challenged Shah’s recent Chennai statement that Tamil Nadu’s demands were “diversionary tactics.” He posed pointed questions to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, “Can you exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET? Guarantee no Hindi imposition? Ensure our representation isn’t reduced post-delimitation? Specify the funds allocated to our state?”

Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu’s fight is for all states’ rights, citing the DMK’s landmark Supreme Court victory against Governor R.N. Ravi’s delay in approving Bills. “This historic ruling shows we act when the Centre fails,” he said.

Highlighting national awareness of Tamil Nadu’s struggle, Stalin dismissed Shah’s accusations of diversion, urging, “If our demands are distractions, why haven’t you addressed them clearly?” He underscored the state’s resolve to protect its interests, rooted in principles of federalism and justice championed by DMK’s legacy.

During the event, Stalin inaugurated over 6,700 completed projects worth ₹1,166 crore in Tiruvallur, laid foundations for 7,300 new initiatives, and distributed welfare benefits to 2.02 lakh residents.