Key Points
- Congress questions why US President Donald Trump announced the India-Pakistan ceasefire before Indian officials.
- Senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, demand a special session of Parliament to discuss the ceasefire, Operation Sindoor, and the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Congress alleges lack of transparency from PM Modi and Foreign Minister Jaishankar on the US’s role and possible pressure tactics.
- Party announces nationwide ‘Jai Hind’ rallies to press for government accountability and clarity.
- Congress reiterates support for the armed forces but insists on parliamentary debate over national security decisions.
New Delhi: The Congress party has escalated its campaign for transparency and accountability from the Modi government regarding the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. At a high-level strategy meeting in Delhi attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, and other senior leaders, the party finalized plans for a nationwide agitation and renewed its call for a special session of Parliament.
Demand for Special Parliament Session and All-Party Consultation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have both written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to immediately convene a special session of Parliament. They argue that the ceasefire, Operation Sindoor, and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack-which killed 26 civilians-are matters of national security that demand open parliamentary debate and collective resolve. The Congress has criticized the government for not including the Prime Minister in previous all-party meetings, calling those gatherings “mere formalities” without meaningful engagement.
Questions Over US President Trump’s Role
A central concern raised by the Congress is the unprecedented announcement of the ceasefire by US President Donald Trump before any official communication from Indian authorities. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, have repeatedly questioned why the US took the lead in making the ceasefire public and what role, if any, American pressure or mediation played in the decision. The party cited Trump’s own statements about using trade threats to broker peace, and demanded that PM Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar clarify whether India’s security interests were compromised under US pressure.
“A few days ago, we learnt of the ceasefire with Pakistan from the President of the United States. At a public event in Saudi Arabia yesterday, the President revealed that he may have coerced and blackmailed India into this ceasefire using the carrot-and-stick of sanctions and trade deals,” Jairam Ramesh posted on X.
Nationwide ‘Jai Hind’ Rallies and Public Mobilization
In response to what they call the government’s “silence” and “politicisation” of Operation Sindoor, Congress has announced a series of ‘Jai Hind’ rallies across 10–15 states. These rallies aim to demand answers from the government and raise public awareness about the US’s alleged involvement in the ceasefire process. Rahul Gandhi is expected to address the media on May 16, further pressing the government for transparency.
Support for Armed Forces, Demand for Clarity
While reiterating their unwavering support for the Indian armed forces and the government’s actions against terrorism, Congress leaders insist that the nation deserves full disclosure and debate on decisions affecting sovereignty and security. They have also questioned whether the government received any concrete assurances from Pakistan about dismantling terror infrastructure before agreeing to the ceasefire.
Key Demands from Congress:
- Immediate convening of a special Parliament session to discuss the ceasefire, Operation Sindoor, and the Pahalgam attack.
- Full disclosure of the US’s role and any conditions attached to the ceasefire agreement.
- Assurance that India’s security and sovereignty have not been compromised under external pressure.
The Congress party’s mounting pressure on the Modi government reflects growing political and public demand for accountability on critical national security decisions. With letters to the Prime Minister, plans for nationwide rallies, and persistent calls for a special Parliament session, the Opposition is making it clear that questions about foreign influence, transparency, and the government’s handling of the ceasefire cannot be brushed aside.
