Chidambaram's Remarks On Pahalgam Attack Spark Row Ahead Of Operation Sindoor Debate

Chidambaram questioned the lack of public disclosure from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the government after the attack on tourists in Pahalgam.

A political controversy has erupted ahead of the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament following comments by senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram, suggesting the possibility of "homegrown terrorists" being responsible for the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

In an interview with The Quint, Chidambaram questioned the lack of public disclosure from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the government. “Have they identified the terrorists? Where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that,” he said.

BJP Hits Back At Chidambaram

The ruling BJP has accused the Congress of giving Pakistan a "clean chit" and undermining the country’s security narrative. The central government and intelligence agencies have consistently maintained that the Pahalgam attackers were Pakistani nationals and were responsible for killing 26 civilians in front of other families.

Chidambaram also questioned the government’s reluctance to discuss Operation Sindoor in Parliament. “Why is the Prime Minister not speaking on Operation Sindoor? Why is there hesitation to debate in the temple of democracy?” he asked. He further claimed that the ceasefire was not announced by the Indian government but by then US President Donald Trump.

Responding sharply, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticised Chidambaram’s remarks.

"P. Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous “Saffron Terror” theory, covers himself with glory yet again. Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan — this time after the Pahalgam terror attack," Malviya said on X.

"Why is it that every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad’s defence lawyers than India’s opposition?" he asked.

The BJP leader said there should be no ambiguity when it comes to national security. "But with the Congress, there never is — they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy," he added.