Pawan Kalyan slams Congress leaders over Pakistan remarks amid Indus Treaty suspension
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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan has launched a strong critique against certain Congress leaders following their controversial remarks about Pakistan, especially in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
In a pointed statement, Kalyan said, “Some leaders are openly expressing affection for Pakistan on television. You can’t live in India and love Pakistan. If that’s where your loyalty lies, then leave India.”
He emphasised that during times of national crisis, no Indian leader should stand in support of a country accused of sponsoring terrorism.
The comments come after a wave of political friction stemming from statements made by Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior party leader Saifuddin Soz. Their views, interpreted by many as sympathetic to Pakistan, have sparked national outrage.
Soz, speaking to ANI, suggested that India should momentarily accept Pakistan's denial of involvement in the Pahalgam attack and trust its own investigative agencies. He advocated for dialogue between the two nations and cautioned against suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Siddaramaiah also drew criticism after he said there was no need for war and instead called for heightened internal security - remarks he later clarified amid backlash.
The Congress party has attempted to distance itself from these opinions, reiterating its support for the government’s stance during an all-party meeting held to respond to the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 individuals, most of them tourists.
In response to the massacre, India has taken several strong non-military actions. These include the indefinite suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, halting movement across the Attari border, and cancelling the visas of Pakistani nationals in India.
The Indus treaty, a crucial lifeline for Pakistan’s agricultural sector which relies heavily on its waters, is now at the center of heightened tensions. Islamabad has responded by labeling India’s move as an “act of war” and has warned that it may revoke all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement of 1972, which defines the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.