Tharoor-Udit Raj Spat Erupts Over Pahalgam Terror Attack Remarks

A war of words has broken out within the Congress party after Shashi Tharoor’s remarks on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam drew sharp criticism from his colleague Udit Raj. In a pointed rebuttal on Monday, Tharoor reminded Raj of his political past, noting that he had once been a BJP MP.

The controversy began when Udit Raj questioned Tharoor’s allegiance and accused him of sounding like a BJP spokesperson. Addressing the criticism, Tharoor said, “The person making this accusation is a former BJP MP himself. Perhaps he is better qualified to judge who represents the BJP’s views. As far as I’m concerned, everybody knows I am not a BJP spokesperson. I don’t speak for any party, I speak for myself.”

What Triggered Udit Raj’s Remarks?
Congress leader Udit Raj had launched a sharp attack on Tharoor, questioning whether he was still with Congress or had effectively aligned himself with the BJP. “I want to ask Shashi Tharoor — is he with the Congress party or the BJP? Is he trying to outdo BJP loyalists? Instead of questioning the opposition, Tharoor should be asking the government when they plan to reclaim PoK. Has he become the BJP’s advocate now?” Raj said while speaking to ANI.

The Comments That Sparked the Tension
The friction arose after Tharoor’s response to the terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking about the security lapse, Tharoor emphasized that no intelligence agency in the world is immune to failures.

“There was a gap in intelligence, no doubt. But no country’s intelligence services are 100 per cent foolproof. Israel, considered by many to have the best intelligence services globally, was caught off guard on October 7, two years ago. Just as Israel is waiting until its current war ends before demanding accountability from its leadership, we too should see the ongoing crisis through before raising questions. Accountability is essential, but it must be sought at the right time,” Tharoor stated.

India’s Response to the Attack
In the aftermath of the deadly attack, India has taken several strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan. These include putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, scaling down diplomatic missions, and suspending visa services for Pakistani nationals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and assured the nation that those responsible would be brought to justice. “The perpetrators of this heinous act will not be spared. We will hunt them down and punish them,” the Prime Minister vowed.

Political Faultlines Within Congress
The exchange between Tharoor and Udit Raj has once again highlighted underlying tensions within the Congress party, where differing opinions on national security, diplomacy, and the party’s positioning on critical issues often spill into the public domain.

While Tharoor is known for his nuanced, diplomatic approach to sensitive matters of national security, others within the party — like Udit Raj — have taken a more combative and partisan tone, especially when it comes to attacking the BJP and its leadership.