Congress Leader: Pahalgam Attack by Homegrown Terrorists, No Evidence of Pakistan

Congress Leader: Pahalgam Attack by Homegrown Terrorists, No Evidence of Pakistan

RMN News Report Highlights:

• P. Chidambaram openly suggests “homegrown terrorists” behind Pahalgam attack.
• Congress leader asserts “no evidence” of Pakistan’s involvement in the April 22 incident.
• Questions raised about government transparency and NIA’s role in the investigation.
• BJP accuses Congress of defending Pakistan, escalating political tensions.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | July 28, 2025

New Delhi, India – A political storm is brewing in India as senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has cast serious doubts on the Union government’s official narrative surrounding the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. His comments, made in an interview with The Quint, suggest the possibility of “homegrown terrorists” and accuse the Modi government of a lack of transparency, intensifying the debate ahead of a crucial parliamentary discussion.

Questions Mount Over Pahalgam Investigation and ‘Operation Sindoor’

Chidambaram’s pointed remarks come as the Parliament is set to debate the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent “Operation Sindoor” launched by the government. He has demanded answers regarding the identity and apprehension of the attackers, expressing concern over the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) perceived unwillingness to disclose key details. “Where are the terrorist attackers? Why have you not apprehended them, or even identified them?” Chidambaram queried, adding, “For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that.”

This stance echoes earlier sentiments from Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who, on July 21, vociferously demanded accountability from the Modi government in the Rajya Sabha for the unaddressed Pahalgam attack, highlighting that those responsible have neither been caught nor neutralized.

BJP Retorts, Accuses Congress of Pakistan Defense

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has swiftly hit back at Chidambaram’s statements, accusing the Congress of defending Pakistan. This exchange underscores a long-standing political narrative in India, where the Modi government frequently attributes terror attacks to Pakistan, a claim often made without conclusive evidence and disputed by international bodies like the IMF, FATF, World Bank, UNSC, US Administration, and European nations.

Allegations of Orchestrated Attacks and Electoral Malpractices

Beyond the immediate Pahalgam controversy, a deeper analysis reveals growing concerns among critics and opposition parties about the Modi government’s alleged tendency to orchestrate terror attacks for political advantage, subsequently blaming Pakistan to rally support, particularly among the majority Hindu voters. Critics argue that when confronted with demands for evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, the government instead resorts to blaming those who seek proof.

This narrative of religious polarization is further alleged to serve as a smokescreen for “rampant election frauds,” including electronic voting machine (EVM) manipulation, tampering with electoral rolls, voter intimidation, and bribery, which critics claim are the primary drivers of BJP’s electoral successes. A significant portion of India’s electorate, described as “poor and illiterate,” is believed to be largely unaffected by the anti-Muslim rhetoric, with only a “handful – a few million – Indians who use Twitter or other social media platforms” operating under the “false perception” that Modi’s anti-Muslim stance leads to his electoral victories.

Grave concerns have also been raised about the possibility of the Modi regime orchestrating terror attacks, amplified by allegations of “fake sketches” of terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

Calls for International Investigation

Against this backdrop, there is a mounting demand for independent, UN-supervised investigations into a series of incidents, including:

• The Pahalgam attack (April 2025)
• The Pulwama attack (2019)
• The Mumbai attacks (2008)
• The Godhra train burning (2002)
• The Gujarat pogrom (2002)
• The 2020 violence in Delhi targeting Muslims
• The murder case of Gujarat politician Haren Pandya
• The mysterious death of Judge Loya
• Other similar incidents.

These calls are intensified by past scrutiny of Modi’s alleged involvement in criminal activities, as explored in the 2023 BBC documentary, “India: The Modi Question,” and the previous revocation of his visa due to his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat mass murders. Recent accusations of transnational repression by Canada and the United States further fuel the demand for international oversight.

Given the perceived impossibility of a fair and transparent investigation and prosecution within India under Modi’s premiership, a strong proposal has emerged for an international court, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to handle his case. The coming parliamentary debate is expected to intensify these already heated discussions, with the opposition demanding greater transparency and accountability from the government.