Mahayuti slams Congress leader’s reaction to statements of Pahalgam terror attack victims 

Maharashtra CM criticizes Congress leader for dismissing Pahalgam attack reports, sparking outrage and protests from Mahayuti.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday (April 28, 2025) slammed Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar for allegedly dismissing reports and Pahalgam survivors accounts that terrorists asked the victims their religion before killing them. The Mahayuti came down heavily on the leader, with the Shiv Sena holding protest against him.

“Mr. Wadettiwar’s statement is insensitive and is like rubbing salt into the wounds of the families and relatives of Pahalgam terrorist attack victims. The survivors, the victims’ relatives, and families account are out there on every media platform. They have seen how their loved ones were killed in front of their eyes and while all of that was happening to them, Mr. Wadettiwar was not present there to make such an insensitive statement. Falsifying the personal accounts of the survivors is extremely insensitive and he will never be forgiven by the families.”

Mahahrashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised Mr. Wadettiwar. “It has been proven time and time again that Hindus are being targeted in Kashmir. So, in what world is Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar living in? By saying, ‘terrorists have no caste or religion’?, who is Wadettiwar trying to please? Are Congress leaders trying to exonerate terrorists?”

He said that Mr. Wadettiwar’s statement shows a disgusting attempt to cover up the faces of terrorists and protect them. “This is not only irresponsibile; but also an example of an anti-national mentality. Every Indian who loves the country should strongly condemn his statement. Congress leaders are playing with the emotions of Indians and rubbing salt in the wounds of people in the name of politics, people will never forget this.”

Also read: Pahalgam Terror Attack: A tribute to victims

Earlier, Mr. Wadettiwar while interacting with journalists, had said, “We are being told that terrorists ascertained religion and then killed people. Do terrorists even have so much time to go close to someone and whisper in ears? It is highly controversial, because some are claiming such things did happen while others are denying it. Do not plan anything around it. Terrorists do not have caste or religion.”

He said that it was not right to divert attention from the original issue of the terrorist attack and reasons behind it, “we consider that such attacks are on the country and there should be a befitting reply. The government must take responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. Why was security not there? Was there no intelligence failure? Is this not the failure of government? No one talks about that.”