As India abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Saturday (October 28) that the move goes against everything the country has stood for, prompting a sharp response from the BJP, which stated that "India will never be on the side of terrorism".
India abstained from voting in the United Nations General Assembly on Friday on a Jordan-drafted resolution titled "protection of civilians and upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations," which called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict and unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza.
The resolution, passed by the 193-member General Assembly, called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.
Priyanka Gandhi used Mahatma Gandhi's quote "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" to make her point in a post on X.
"I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza," she said.
"Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives, these principles form the basis of the constitution that defines our nationhood," she went on to say. They symbolise India's moral courage, which guided its actions as a member of the international community, she added.
"To refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverised, food, water, medical supplies, communication and power is cut off to millions of people and thousands of men, women and children in Palestine are being annihilated goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation," Priyanka Gandhi said.
Take A Look At Her Post Here:
'Steadfast And Consistent': BJP Responds To Priayanka's Post
In response to Priyanka Gandhi's response, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated that those who are "ashamed and shocked" must understand that India will never support terrorism.
"India's Explanation of Vote -- stated this unequivocally. Our stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is unwavering and consistent. Those who choose to support terror do so at their peril," said the former minority affairs minister on X.
"On a lighter note, Priyanka Ji, you should first educate yourself on the contents of your X account. It appears that people who have no knowledge of Congress's previous positions on the situation are advising you," he said.
In a joint statement, the CPI(M) and the CPI said that India's decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations resolution calling for a truce in Gaza is "shocking" and demonstrates that India's foreign policy is now shaped by "being a subordinate ally of US imperialism."
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary D Raja said in a statement titled 'Stop this Genocidal Aggression in Gaza' that India's move negates its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
Click here for the latest updates related to the Israel-Hamas War.
According to media reports, the rising death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in the conflict's decades-long history. According to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, over 7,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict. On October 7, Hamas launched unprecedented attacks on Israel, killing over 1,400 people. In Gaza, Hamas has held over 220 people hostage. Israel then launched retaliatory strikes, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.