Priyanka Gandhi Shuts Down ‘Hindus’ Label On Pahalgam Victims: “They Were Bharatiye”

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a firm stand in the Lok Sabha during the special discussion on Operation Sindoor, countering communal narratives around the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir. As some MPs allegedly attempted to label the victims as "Hindus," Priyanka interrupted and asserted, "Bharatiye the" (They were Indians)-emphasising national unity over religious identity.

The remark came amid an emotionally charged session of the Monsoon Parliament, where Priyanka Gandhi criticised the BJP-led central government for its mishandling of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. She called for accountability and questioned the lack of preventive measures that could have saved innocent lives.

In her first major address in the Lok Sabha as an MP, Priyanka focused not just on the operational failures but also challenged attempts to give the tragedy a communal angle. Her intervention was seen as a bid to reaffirm the Congress party's stance on secularism and national unity.

The Pahalgam terror attack, one of the deadliest in recent times, has reignited debates over internal security and the government's strategy in the conflict-prone region. While the BJP has defended its counter-terrorism efforts, the opposition has blamed intelligence lapses and poor coordination.

By stating "they were Indians," Priyanka Gandhi positioned herself in direct opposition to divisive narratives, highlighting the human cost of terrorism and calling for a united national response-beyond religion and politics.