India's Abstention on UN Resolution on Israel-Hamas Conflict Sparks Opposition Outrage

India's abstention from voting on a United Nations resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict has sparked outrage among opposition parties in the country. The resolution called for an immediate humanitarian truce and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip.

India's decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and some members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Opposition Parties Condemn India's Stance

Leaders of opposition parties such as the Congress, CPI, CPIM, BSP, and AIMIM expressed shock and shame over India's stand on the Jordan-drafted resolution. They accused the government of going against India's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and compromising its moral standing in the international community.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government's decision, saying it goes against the principles of non-violence and truth upon which India was founded. She said India should have taken a stand and supported a ceasefire to protect innocent lives in Palestine.

BJP Defends India's Position

The BJP, however, defended India's decision, stating that the country will never be on the side of terrorism. The party pointed out that the resolution did not explicitly condemn the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas and said India's abstention was due to the absence of all elements of its approach in the final text.

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized Priyanka Gandhi's remarks and said those who are ashamed and shocked must realize that India will never support terrorism. He also accused the Congress of attempting to mislead people by distorting India's past positions on the issue.

Calls for India to Support Humanitarian Truce

BSP MP Danish Ali urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect India's identity in the world by supporting a ceasefire and playing a role in saving the lives of innocent children in Gaza. He accused the Israeli army of killing Palestinians while the world watches indifferently.

The CPIM and the CPI also criticized India's abstention, saying it shows that Indian foreign policy is now shaped by being a subordinate ally of US imperialism. They said India's move negates its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and called for an immediate end to the aggression in Gaza.

India's Explanation of Vote

Explaining India's decision, sources said the country is concerned over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza but strongly considers that there can be no equivocation on terror. They noted that the resolution did not include any explicit condemnation of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.

India abstained in the vote in the absence of all elements of its approach not being covered in the final text of the resolution, they said.

India's abstention on the UN resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict has sparked a heated debate in the country, with opposition parties and some members of the ruling party criticizing the move. The government has defended its decision, saying it will never support terrorism and that the resolution did not adequately address its concerns. The issue is likely to remain a subject of discussion and debate in the coming days.