'Terrorist Wouldn't Have Asked Religion': Karnataka Min Remarks On Pahalgam Attack; BJP Alleges Congress Game
The Karnataka Excise Minister stirred controversy by stating that he didn't believe terrorists asked victims' religion before killing them in Pahalgam. BJP slammed Congress for playing a "good cop, bad cop" game.
Karnataka Excise Minister R. B. Timmapur on Sunday stirred a controversy by stating that he did not believe the terrorists who killed tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam asked their victims about their religion before shooting them. Speaking to reporters, Minister Timmapur said, “A terrorist who is shooting, how can he ask religion or caste? He will just kill people and leave. One has to think practically. The terrorists can’t stand there, question the religion of the victim and then shoot.”
The Minister further remarked that the country was disturbed over the brutal terror attack, and alleged that there was a conspiracy to give the incident a communal colour. “Even if the terrorists have asked about the religion, there should not be a mad attempt to politicise the issue and give it a communal twist,” he added, as per news agency IANS.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had earlier commented on intelligence failure and faced backlash over his remarks on war with Pakistan, issued a clarification on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “…I said that it (war) is inevitable, but it must be done with Pakistan, but I did not say that there should be no war. It is the responsibility of the central government to provide security, 26 people died in the incident… I said there should not be a war immediately…”
BJP's 'Pakistan Ratna' Jibe At Siddaramaiah, Party Accuses Congress Of Playing 'Good Cop, Bad Cop'
After Siddaramaiah’s comments were highlighted by Pakistani media, the Karnataka BJP launched a sharp attack against him. Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka, shared a video of a Pakistani news channel airing Siddaramaiah’s remarks. Taking to X, Ashoka dubbed him ‘Pakistan Ratna’ and wrote, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, you have become world famous in Pakistan overnight due to your childish and absurd statements.”
Further criticising the Congress, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari accused the party of playing a “good cop, bad cop” game. Speaking to news agency ANI, Bhandari said, “Congress is playing ‘good cop, bad cop’. On one hand, in the all-party meeting, they say that they will fully support. On the other hand, they make their leaders give statements that insult the victims and give cover fire to Pakistan.”
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari says, "Congress is playing 'good cop, bad cop'. On one hand, in the all-party meeting, they say that they will fully support. On the other hand, they make their leaders give statements which insult the victims and give cover fire to… pic.twitter.com/GvvMf0CGKs
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2025
Bhandari stressed that it was well-known that Pakistan-based terror operatives carried out the attack, which claimed 26 lives, and any attempt to deflect responsibility was an insult to the victims and their families. He said, “They all know that the terror masters of Pakistan have carried out this terrorist attack in Pahalgam… Congress leaders of Karnataka say that the terrorists did not ask about religion. This is an insult to the statements of the victim. All this proves that just like after 26/11, the Congress party was trying every possible way to give a clean chit to Pakistan; under the same policy, today they are trying to give a clean chit to Pakistan.”
Emphasising the need for unity, Bhandari added, “This is not the time for politics; this is the time when the country has to be united… The country is united and it knows that under the leadership of PM Modi, we will give a befitting reply to Pakistan.”
The controversy comes amid Congress leaders criticising the Union Government over alleged security lapses that led to the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed — marking one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama terror strike.
Following the attack, the Indian government has pledged strong action against those responsible, asserting that the terrorists and conspirators behind the Pahalgam incident would face severe punishment.
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