Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has sharply criticised the Narendra Modi-led government over its response to the war in Gaza, accusing it of remaining silent in the face of what she described as Israel's devastating military campaign against Palestinians. In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, Gandhi argued that India's position on the conflict was contrary to both its moral values and strategic interests.
She described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, alleging that Israel's military actions had resulted in widespread civilian casualties, particularly among children, and the destruction of schools and healthcare facilities. While condemning Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on Israel as "dastardly" and "absolutely unacceptable", Gandhi said Israel's subsequent military response had been marked by "wanton cruelty and barbarity". She further alleged that statements made by senior Israeli leaders reflected a "genocidal intent" towards Gaza.
Turning her criticism towards New Delhi's foreign policy, Gandhi accused the Centre of remaining silent despite growing international concern. "India remains a lone voice of silence," she wrote.
The Congress leader also questioned the government's handling of a report on Gaza prepared by former Delhi High Court judge Justice S. Muralidhar, claiming it had been ignored. She further criticised the delay in clearing a film based on the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab, alleging it was initially blocked to avoid offending Israel before eventually receiving approval following public pressure.
Gandhi argued that India's diplomatic approach had distanced the country from its traditional partners in West Asia. "The Modi government's silence and inaction are not just morally reprehensible but also inexplicable from a national interest perspective," she wrote. She also claimed India had weakened its own diplomatic standing in the region. "We have alienated ourselves from our historical allies in Palestine, Iran, and the larger Middle East... We have let Pakistan... claim the space of a mediator—a role to which we would have a natural claim," Sonia Gandhi said.
Concluding her article, Gandhi urged the government to take a clearer stand on the conflict. "The spirit of Indian nationhood demands that we speak up for our Palestinian brothers and sisters," she wrote, adding that the government's continued silence "simply cannot be explained rationally or morally."
Several senior Congress leaders endorsed Gandhi's remarks on social media. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described her article as "a stark reminder" of what he called the Modi government's failure to uphold India's traditional foreign policy in West Asia.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the article called on India to "reclaim its independent foreign policy, uphold humanitarian values, and speak up with moral clarity on Gaza."
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared excerpts from the article, reiterating that the government's silence over the humanitarian situation in Gaza was neither morally nor strategically defensible.
