PM got Pahalgam intel, called off Kashmir trip, claims Kharge

Ranchi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received intelligence reports about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack three days before the horrific incident and cancelled his Kashmir visit, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed on Tuesday. BJP has, however, rejected Kharge's claims.

Launching a scathing attack on the Centre's handling of national security during his address at the "Samvidhan Bachao Rally" here, Kharge accused the govt of failing to act on prior intelligence and neglecting to take significant steps in the attack aftermath.

"The country witnessed a horrific terror attack on April 22, claiming the lives of 26 innocent people. The govt also has admitted its intelligence failure in an all-party meeting. According to news reports, Prime Minister Modi received intelligence inputs about the attack three days before the attack and he cancelled his visit to Kashmir. The question is, if the govt had information about the attack, why were precautionary measures not taken to secure civilians' lives? The govt has failed to protect the people of the country," Kharge said at the gathering.

He further said, "Congress will wholeheartedly support and assist the govt if any action is taken against terrorism and Pakistan because it's a matter of the country's security. This country is above everything else. Political affiliation, religion or caste — everything comes after the country."

The Congress leader, however, refrained from making any remarks on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 which was opposed unanimously by Congress leaders in Jharkhand, terming it an attempt by the Centre to divide the country.

Kharge also criticised PM Modi and other BJP leaders for accusing Congress of trying to divide society by demanding a caste-based survey for the last several years, saying, "Now, the BJP-led Union govt has given its nod to include the survey as part of the census. It's the victory of every Congress worker and a defeat for PM Modi." He also asked to replicate the Telangana model of the caste survey while conducting it nationally.

He also appealed to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to include the Sarna code in the caste-based survey in the state.

The statewide ‘Samvidhan Bachao Rally', which was flagged off on Tuesday, was attended by senior Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and Jharkhand state Congress in-charge K Raju. The rally will also take place across the districts in Jharkhand.

After the rally, Kharge and Venugopal called on Hemant and discussed various topics.

Meanwhile, state BJP president, Babulal Marandi, who is also the leader of the opposition in the assembly, termed Kharge's claims as baseless.

"Kharge's criticism of PM Narendra Modi over alleged intelligence failure in the Pahalgam terror attack was intended to lower the morale of the security forces. During the Congress regime, many places were shaken by serial bomb blasts and incidents like the 26/11 attack also took place. Under Modi's leadership, India has taken decisive actions like the surgical strikes, including the Balakot airstrike, demonstrating a strong defence against terrorism," Marandi added.