Amit Shah Targets Congress in Rajya Sabha Over Terrorism and Kashmir
Amit Shah’s Strategic Counteroffensive in Parliament
Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a scathing critique of the Congress during his speech in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, 2025, as the House debated the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Shah accused the Opposition of weakening India’s security framework over the years through “appeasement” and inaction, contrasting it with what he described as the Modi government’s firm approach.
“Hindus can never be terrorists,” Shah declared.
“Aur Hindu terror ka shagoofa kisne chora?” he asked rhetorically, accusing Congress of manufacturing narratives that tarnished nationalist organisations for political gain.
Shah’s comment came as he defended the government’s strong response to the recent Pahalgam massacre and broader terrorist threats. He argued that previous governments, especially during UPA years, had allowed terrorism to flourish by failing to act decisively.
Congress Walks Out, PM’s Absence Questioned
The speech began amid protests by Opposition parties over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge stated:
“After 16 hours of discussion, we expected the PM to attend. This is a question of respect for the House.”
Opposition members then staged a walkout, leaving Shah to address an almost empty Opposition bench. Shah responded firmly:
“It is the government’s discretion to choose its speaker. No rules bind the Prime Minister’s presence during debates.”
A Sharp Attack on Congress’s Track Record
In his address, Shah challenged the Congress on multiple fronts. He cited former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s skepticism about the effectiveness of Operation Sindoor.
“Chidambaram saheb said it cannot be said that Operation Sindoor was decisive. Were the 1965 and 1971 wars decisive? If yes, why did terrorism not end?”
“During his tenure, Afzal Guru was not hanged. After 26/11, your leaders blamed the RSS instead of Pakistan. Whom were you trying to protect?”
Shah also accused Congress of surrendering territory to Pakistan.
“You conceded a part of Kashmir. Let me say clearly in this House: We are committed to reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This is Prime Minister Modi’s resolution.”
Operation Sindoor and Declining Terrorism: The Data
Shah presented data to support his assertion that terrorism is declining in India.
- Between 2004 and 2014 (UPA years), India witnessed 7,217 terrorist incidents.
- From June 2015 to May 2025, that number declined to 2,150 incidents, a 70% reduction under the Modi government.
“There was a time when Pakistan didn’t even need to send terrorists. Our own youth in Kashmir would pick up guns. Today, not a single Kashmiri youth has joined a terror outfit in the last six months.”
He emphasized that all terrorists neutralized recently were foreign nationals, primarily from Pakistan, proving the success of local deradicalization efforts and strengthened counterintelligence.
On Religious Symbols and Military Naming
Shah responded to criticism from Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan regarding the naming of Operation Mahadev.
“Shivaji Maharaj used ‘Har Har Mahadev’ as a war slogan. What is the problem if our soldiers use this to invoke strength and unity?”
Shah clarified that such terminology is rooted in India’s cultural and historical resistance against invaders, not religious partisanship.
The Strategic Significance of Shah’s Message
Shah’s speech was not just political rhetoric; it served multiple purposes:
- Reframing the narrative: By declaring Hindus incapable of terrorism, he sought to close the debate on so-called “Hindu terror” narratives that surfaced during the UPA era.
- Positioning the Modi government as decisive: The mention of BrahMos strikes, airstrikes, and Operation Sindoor was meant to contrast action versus inaction.
- Preparing the public mindset: His pledge to reclaim PoK reinforces nationalist sentiment ahead of upcoming elections and presents the government as proactively reclaiming lost ground—both physically and metaphorically.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah used the Operation Sindoor debate as a platform to redefine the national security narrative and deliver strong political messaging. By highlighting reduced terror incidents, the failure of past policies, and the Modi government’s hardline posture, Shah positioned the BJP as the protector of national integrity. The challenge now rests on whether this rhetoric translates into measurable geopolitical and electoral gains in the months ahead.
