Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has raised concerns over the Indian government’s approach to the Gaza conflict, alleging that New Delhi has remained largely silent despite the humanitarian crisis. In an opinion piece, the Rajya Sabha MP argued that India’s current position reflects a shift away from its longstanding support for Palestinian rights.
Her remarks triggered a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of attempting to mislead the public and prioritising vote bank considerations over foreign policy.
Sonia Gandhi Criticises Government’s Position on Gaza
In her newspaper Op-Ed, Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the situation in Gaza and questioned what she described as the government’s lack of strong public response to civilian suffering.
She argued that India appears to be giving greater importance to strengthening ties with Israel than maintaining its historic support for the Palestinian cause. According to Gandhi, the issue extends beyond Gaza and reflects broader concerns regarding India’s foreign policy direction.
The Congress leader pointed to the extensive destruction in Gaza following years of Israeli military operations launched after the deadly 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli border towns, which left more than a thousand people dead.
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UN Report and Humanitarian Concerns Highlighted
Reference to International Findings
Gandhi cited a report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
She also drew attention to the humanitarian impact of the conflict, stating that more than 20,000 children had been killed and 44,000 wounded.
Call for Global Action
The Congress leader argued that the international community has failed to halt the conflict despite growing evidence and ongoing legal proceedings related to the crisis.
She maintained that governments worldwide have not done enough to address the humanitarian consequences of the war.
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“Lone Voice of Silence” Remark on India’s Response
Criticising the central government’s approach, Gandhi alleged that India has not spoken strongly enough about the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Describing the country as a “lone voice of silence,” she argued that such a position is not only “morally reprehensible but also inexplicable from a national interest perspective.”
Gandhi further stated that India has historically stood alongside Palestine and warned that moving away from that position could affect the country’s international reputation.
She concluded by urging the government to openly support Palestinian rights, saying continued silence cannot be justified either morally or rationally.
BJP Rejects Allegations, Defends India’s Record
The BJP strongly disagreed with Gandhi’s assessment and accused the Congress of using foreign policy issues for political gains.
Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said India has repeatedly clarified its stance on Gaza and Palestine while also extending humanitarian assistance.
India’s Actions at the United Nations
Poonawala noted that India has demonstrated its position through its voting record on United Nations ceasefire resolutions related to the conflict.
He also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received Palestine’s highest civilian honour.
According to the BJP spokesperson, these actions contradict claims that India has remained silent on the issue.
BJP Accuses Congress of Prioritising Vote Bank Politics
Responding directly to Gandhi’s criticism, Poonawala said:
“The problem is that Congress always puts vote bank on foreign policy and therefore, they, in the name of vote bank politics, never developed any relations with Israel,”
He further alleged that the Congress sympathises with Hamas while remaining silent on attacks against Israel.
Poonawala also stated:
“Sonia Gandhi speaks up for the Muslims in Gaza, they tweet about Rafa, but they are silent on Hindus in Dhaka. This shows that for them, even foreign policy is calculated on the table, on the calculus of vote bank,”
His remarks underscored the BJP’s argument that Congress approaches international issues through a political lens rather than from a foreign policy perspective.
Conclusion
Sonia Gandhi’s criticism of India’s position on Gaza has reignited debate over the country’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. While the Congress leader argues that New Delhi has moved away from its traditional support for Palestine and remained silent on civilian suffering, the BJP insists India has consistently articulated its stance through diplomatic actions, humanitarian assistance, and its engagement at the United Nations. The exchange highlights a broader political divide over how foreign policy issues are viewed and debated within India.
