‘Pakistan Ratna, Siddarmaiaullah, Halal Congress’: Karnataka CM’s Pahalgam Reaction Triggers War Of Words – News18

Last Updated:April 28, 2025, 18:38 IST

The remarks found resonance in Pakistani media, with news outlets amplifying the Karnataka CM’s comments — a development that handed a fresh opening to the BJP to target Congress

Under pressure from the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah was asked to put out a clarification. (PTI File)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s ill-timed remark of “not in favour of waging a war” with Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack has sparked a political storm, putting the Congress on the back foot.

From “Wazir-e-Ala” to “Pakistan Ratna” to “Siddarmaiaullah” and now “Halal Congress”, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been relentless in its barrage of attacks.

As the party’s spokespersons are caught in a bind, Siddaramaiah has also attempted to clarify his stance. But by then, the damage seems to have already been done.

Siddaramaiah had first said, “Strict security measures must be initiated. We are not in favour of waging a war. There should be peace, people must feel secure, and the central government should ensure effective security arrangements.”

The remarks quickly found resonance in Pakistani media, with multiple news outlets amplifying the Karnataka Chief Minister’s comments — a development that handed a fresh opening to the BJP to target the Congress.

Under pressure from the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah was asked to put out a clarification where he went on to state, “I never said we should never go to war with Pakistan, I just said war is not the solution. Protection should have been given to the tourists. Whose responsibility is this? I have said there has been a failure,” the Congress leader said. “There is a failure of intelligence. The government of India didn’t provide ample security. As far as war is concerned, if it’s inevitable, we must go to war.”

CONGRESS DEFENCE

The BJP leaders were quick to pounce, accusing Siddaramaiah of “parroting” Pakistan’s line and undermining the Indian Army’s efforts.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka launched a scathing attack, saying: “Siddaramaiah is now a hero in Pakistan. Congratulations to the Halal Congress CM. If you go there, you will get a royal welcome.”

Congress party spokespersons defended the Chief Minister’s stand, arguing that his comments were being “misconstrued” deliberately.

Natraj Gowda said: “Today, a modern war can be fought by isolating a nation diplomatically and economically. Our Chief Minister’s statement was in that context. He never questioned the armed forces.”

Explaining this, Gowda said that PM Modi states how India-US relations are strong, yet financial assistance is going to Pakistan from the US. He added that Russia is also an ally of India, yet Pakistan continues to get their weapons from them. “The friendly nations must cut off all assistance to this country, that is how it should be done, not declaring war.” Gowda said.

“War today can be fought in ways that can squeeze a nation out of its resources and supplies, and through stringent sanctions and lockdowns in ways to cut communication, resources and supplies. It’ll bring them to their knees. War today is not just about wielding a gun and shooting down people. A more effective way of compelling by weakening the nation can be done,” he said.

Gowda said that the Congress has made it clear it stands by what PM Modi and the Union government has been doing in this time of need. All parties are backing the central government and its decisions.

“The Indus treaty was revoked, the Pakistan consulate officials were sent back, Pakistani nationals are being sent back, we wholly support these decisions,” he added.

He further argued that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi often talks about isolating Pakistan globally, adding, “The BJP is twisting words because they have no answers on why security failures happened under their rule.”

Another Congress spokesperson, Ramesh Babu, added that the BJP is facing “bankruptcy” of ideas and so they are splitting hairs on the Siddaramaiah statement as they are not in the loop. They should look at the larger issue on how to handle this terror attack and how India should give a befitting reply.

“Siddaramaiah has clarified his statement. Congress being a national party and the party president Mallikarjun Kharge called for an all-party meeting. But what is unfortunate is that for such an important matter, the PM does not chair the all-party meeting, rather he is seen in UP,” Babu told News18.

The Congress has always stood by the nation and by the principle of the sanctity and integrity of India. Kharge has also made it clear that the party will abide by the decisions made by the government, not his issue.

Babu said that the BJP is suffering from bankruptcy of ideas, and they are using this remark and splitting hairs on this statement.

“The BJP has failed to clarify how the party has failed to protect the tourists in Kashmir. It has failed to respond to how there was an intelligence failure. The BJP has failed to accept their mistakes and are looking for issues to hide their mistakes,” Babu said.

HOW PAKISTAN COVERED THE ISSUE & BJP’S ATTACK

Pakistani media, including prominent news channel Geo News, covered the Karnataka CM’s remarks, describing them as “voices against war from within India”.

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra posted on X, while sharing a clip from a Pakistan channel. “Big cheers for Wazir-e-Ala @siddaramaiah from far across the borders! Pakistani media is all too praise for @siddaramaiah & visibly disappointed at the backlash he is receiving from BJP & others, for his comments against war with Pakistan.”

Further referring to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijayendra said, “Nehru was taken around in an open Jeep around the streets of Rawalpindi, as Pakistan was too happy with Nehru for signing the Indus Water Treaty that favoured Pakistan. Is Siddaramaiah going to be the next politician from India to be taken around in an open Jeep in Pakistan?”

Siddaramaiah’s statements drew criticism from former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa. “At a time when we need to stand united, Siddaramaiah’s statements are highly condemnable and childish. He should understand the reality and not make such comments when the nation is standing together. It doesn’t fare well for his position as Chief Minister. I condemn this. He should apologise to the people of the country and mend his ways,” he said.

BJP Yuva Morcha national president and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya took on the CM. “Instead of standing firmly with the forces and demanding strict action against terrorists, the Karnataka CM is speaking the language of weakness. It’s shameful,” he said.

He also questioned the compensation announced by the state to those who lost their lives in Pahalgam.

“Congress and Pakistan speak in the same language, whether it is Article 370, Samjhauta, Pulwama, 26/11, surgical strike, or Balakot air strike. Congress is no longer INC, but a PPP — Pakistan Parast Party. Therefore, on one hand, they say the strongest action should be taken against those who are exporting terrorism into India, and on the other hand, the Congress is busy giving a clean chit to Pakistan,” said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

At the national level, even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had backed the Centre’s tough line, supporting strict action against Pakistan and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families. This contrast between the national Congress’s stand and Siddaramaiah’s controversial remark has only fuelled the BJP’s charge that the Congress speaks in “two voices” on national security.

SIDDARAMAIAH’S CLARIFICATION

In a final bid to contain the situation, Siddaramaiah later issued a written clarification:

“War should be a nation’s last resort. India must teach Pakistan a strong lesson for supporting terror, but also act wisely to maintain the country’s global standing. My remarks were in favour of peace and strong national security, not appeasement.”

But the BJP appears in no mood to let the matter rest, seeing in Siddaramaiah’s remark an opportunity to portray the Congress as “soft on terror” — a narrative.

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam left 26 dead. The attack was the deadliest in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

The Modi government has already announced the suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens, reviewed water-sharing treaties like the Indus Water Treaty, and warned of “unimaginable consequences” for terror groups and their sponsors.