New Delhi: Distancing itself with the statement of its Mumbai leader Sanjay Nirupum, the Congress today called on the NDA government to unmask Pakistan's false propaganda by “revealing and making public the evidence we have”. It also urged the Modi government to stop politicizing the sacrifices and bravery of Indian soldiers for a myopic political gain: "Congress does not agree with the statements made by Sanjay Nirupam. We have taken a serious note of it,’’ AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala told reporters here. Mr Nirupam earlier in the day questioned veracity of the government’s claim of surgical strike in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir and asked the government to prove that the operation was not “fake”.
Talking to reporters, Mr Nirupam said people were asking questions on the surgical strike and they have the right to do so. Reiterating the support of the Congress to the surgical strikes, Mr Surjewala said, "Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi have unequivocally supported the Army and the government in surgical strikes against terrorists in Pakistan and also taking all steps necessary in the demolition of the terror infrastructure operating against India. We re-affirm the same." He said: "Congress party has full faith in the Indian Armed Forces to conduct a surgical strike as we recognise this is neither the first nor the last surgical strike conducted by our forces to defend our country.
We are proud, even in the past, when forces have conducted such surgical strikes earlier, particularly on September 1, 2011, July 28, 2013 and January 14, 2014, giving a befitting reply to the enemy. "In its maturity, wisdom, and interests of national security, the Congress government avoided making loud claims in the interest of effective response and action of the Indian Army, which had the complete backing of the political leadership,’’ he added. Calling on the NDA government to unmask Pakistan's false propaganda by “revealing and making public the evidence we have”, Mr Surjewala said, "The government needs to call the Pakistani bluff and false propaganda by using all information, evidence and instruments at the disposal of the Indian state.’’
It also urged the Modi government to stop politicising the sacrifices and bravery of Indian soldiers for myopic political gain. "In a serious situation where Pakistan continues to export terror and commit ceasefire violations, we would like to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the immature, casual statement made by Mr Parrikar (Defence Miniter Manohar Parrikar) and his Cabinet colleagues has his sanction and support. We urge Modi government to stop politicising the sacrifices and bravery of Indian soldiers for myopic political gain." (UNI)