28 July,2025 08:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi speaks during a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Pic/PTI
The Congress on Monday demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah take responsibility for the lapses leading to the Pahalgam terror attack. During a special debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor, Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi raised sharp questions about national security, alleged intelligence failures, and transparency regarding military losses, reported the PTI.
Gaurav Gogoi called on the government to disclose how many Indian fighter jets were downed during Operation Sindoor, referencing repeated claims by former US President Donald Trump that trade pressure was used to secure a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, according to the PTI.
"President Trump has made this claim 26 times," Gogoi said. "He even stated that five to six jets were downed. Each fighter jet is worth crores of rupees. The Defence Minister must come clean with the numbers. The country deserves the truth -- not only the citizens, but our soldiers too."
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's past statements after the Uri and Pulwama attacks -- such as "we entered their homes and struck" -- Gogoi questioned the government's claim of success in Operation Sindoor, especially when officials have admitted the operation is "incomplete", the news agency reported.
"If Pakistan can still carry out such attacks, how is this operation considered a success?" he asked. "If it wasn't a war, why not? If the aim wasn't to reclaim territory, why wasn't it? When will we take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir -- if not now, then when?"
He accused the Modi government of hiding facts and failing to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice even after 100 days. "The Defence Minister gave a lengthy speech but failed to explain how terrorists managed to reach Pahalgam in the first place," Gogoi noted, as per the PTI.
Gogoi further alleged that the Home Minister has attempted to deflect blame by pointing fingers at local authorities and even tour operators. "It is not the Lieutenant Governor who should be held responsible -- it is the Home Minister," he said. "This government is so weak and cowardly that it blames everyone but itself."
He criticised the government for its handling of national security and for what he called an arrogant and unaccountable decision-making system. "They behave as though they are above questioning -- but we will continue to question them," reported the PTI.
Gogoi also drew comparisons between the Prime Minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, "When the Prime Minister returned from Saudi Arabia, he chose to attend a political rally in Bihar instead of visiting Pahalgam. It was Rahul Gandhi who went to Pahalgam and stood with the people. It was he who demanded martyr status for the victims," according to the PTI.
The remarks sparked strong objections from the treasury benches, prompting Speaker Om Birla to urge Gogoi to stick to the facts.
(with PTI inputs)
