New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday deleted a controversial social media post appearing to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from an all-party meeting following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. The post sparked a major political row, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was even shared by a former Pakistani minister.
The now-deleted post featured a kurta-pyjama and black sandals arranged to suggest a human figure without a visible face, overlaid with the word ‘Gayab’ (missing). Though it did not explicitly name the Prime Minister, the caption read, “Disappears at the time of responsibility,” a veiled reference to his absence from the all-party meeting.
‘Dangerous and incendiary imagery’
The BJP reacted strongly, accusing the Congress of using “dangerous” and “incendiary” imagery. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, claimed that the post echoed the extremist slogan ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (beheading for blasphemy), asserting that the Congress was appealing to its minority vote bank through veiled threats. Malviya also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly justifying or inciting violence against the Prime Minister.
The post was shared by Pakistan’s former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. He reposted it with a mocking caption, prompting further criticism from the BJP. “This is not merely a political post,” said Malviya. “It’s a dog whistle and a shameful incitement. Yet the Congress will not succeed, for the Prime Minister enjoys the blessings of millions.”
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia held a press conference in which he labelled Congress as “Lashkar-e-Pakistan Congress,” drawing parallels with extremist outfits. He said, “Congress’s post sends a signal to Pakistan that its sympathisers are active in India. It’s an attempt to weaken the country’s unity during a time of grief.”
The BJP’s official X handle also weighed in, claiming that the Congress had “exposed itself as Muslim League 2.0 — divisive, desperate, and directionless”.
Congress’s defence
Congress leaders, however, defended the initial criticism directed at the Prime Minister. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had earlier accused Mr Modi of prioritising political campaigning over national crisis, pointing to his presence at an election rally in Bihar while the all-party meeting on the terror attack was underway.
“When our pride was wounded, the Prime Minister was delivering a campaign speech,” Kharge said. “This is a misfortune and a shame. The country must come first — party and religion follow after.”
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s concerns, noting that while the Prime Minister returned from Saudi Arabia on April 24, he chose not to attend the crucial meeting. “We demanded that the PM brief the nation and Parliament on the Pahalgam incident. There is no political motive — only a call for unity,” he said.
