"Clean Chit to Pakistan?" – Chidambaram's Remarks Spark Firestorm Ahead of Operation Sindoor Debate

Chidambaram's

As Parliament braces for a high-stakes debate on Operation Sindoor, the political landscape was jolted by a controversial interview given by senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P. Chidambaram. In an interview with The Quint, Chidambaram questioned the official narrative on the Pahalgam terror attack, suggesting that the perpetrators might have been "homegrown terrorists" and challenging the government to provide evidence linking them to Pakistan.

The remarks have ignited a firestorm in political circles, with the ruling BJP accusing the Congress of effectively offering a "clean chit" to Pakistan — just hours before the critical Operation Sindoor debate in the Lok Sabha.

Chidambaram’s Provocative Questions

Chidambaram, known for his precise articulation and legal acumen, raised eyebrows when he asked,

“Have they [the NIA] identified the terrorists? Where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that.”

He also criticized the Modi government for what he described as "reluctance to be transparent," particularly regarding casualties suffered during Operation Sindoor — India’s large-scale military retaliation following the Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed.

“Losses are inevitable in war,” Chidambaram said. “Why hide them? Churchill did not.”

He further questioned the Prime Minister's silence in Parliament, contrasting it with his speeches at political rallies.

BJP's Furious Counterattack

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya led the counter-offensive, accusing Chidambaram of reviving his old “Saffron Terror” narrative.

“Every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad’s defence lawyers,” he said.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla sharpened the rhetoric with a now-trending phrase:

“26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam — Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath!”

The BJP has framed Chidambaram’s remarks as not only insensitive but also dangerous — undermining the morale of the armed forces and giving ammunition to adversaries at a time of heightened tensions.

Congress Stands Divided

Interestingly, while the Congress leadership has not officially distanced itself from Chidambaram’s comments, not all party voices are in alignment. Congress MP Imran Masood backed the senior leader but flipped the narrative, accusing the Modi government of giving the real clean chit to Pakistan by agreeing to a ceasefire.

“You brought India and Pakistan to the same level on the global stage. The terrorists are still alive. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Meanwhile, the party finds itself walking a tightrope — defending a senior leader's right to question the government while avoiding the impression of being soft on terrorism, especially in a politically sensitive moment.

Chidambaram Defends Himself

After facing severe backlash, Chidambaram struck back at what he called “selective outrage.”

“The worst kind of troll is one who suppresses the full interview, takes two sentences, mutes some words, and paints the speaker black.”

This response may not put the issue to rest, as the BJP and its allies are expected to raise Chidambaram’s remarks during the Parliament debate, potentially derailing the Congress' narrative.

The Road Ahead

With Prime Minister Modi scheduled to speak later today in the Lok Sabha, and tomorrow in the Rajya Sabha, the Operation Sindoor debate is expected to be both emotionally charged and politically consequential.

As the nation watches closely, the lines between national security, free speech, and political posturing continue to blur — and P. Chidambaram has once again placed himself at the very heart of the controversy.