Pahalgam and Indo-Pak matters :::: "Congress will expose grand failures of a man who shows his 56 inch chest", says Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman ::::: Rajesh Sethi says "In 2008, Shivraj Patil had resigned"

Rapid Fire with two Congress leaders ---

Rajesh Sethi of Minority cell says -- "In 2008, Shivraj Patil resigned as Home Minister"

"Congress will expose grand failures of a man who shows his 56 inch chest", says former Tripura Minister, Sudip Roy Barman 

Question (Blogger) : With what's happening around, Congress revival will now be a thing of the past. The country is shocked and debating terrorism and the Modi Govt is firm about what to do with Pakistan. 

Your party is not only a pro-Muslim outfit; in 2008 after 26/11; the Manmohan Singh Govt offered biryani diplomacy to Pakistan? 

Sudip Roy Barman  (Congress leader, Tripura) : 

Your question sounds like a well-tutored line from the BJP and the RSS camps. We do not mind that. But what you are suggesting is absolutely wrong. The Congress revival is happening in a big way. 

The fact of the matter is the Modi Govt's Kashmir policy has failed. You all in the media are avoiding any debate on that. But my Congress party will continue to expose the grand failures of a man who loves to show his 56 inch chest. 

Indians and Modi's beloved Hindus as he keeps saying are not safe today. 

Rajesh Kumar Sethi  (AICC Minority Cell) : 

I think it will be wrong to link BJP or Congress 'revival' etc to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The fact is the such a gory episode took place and Union Home Miniser Amit Shah is still on chair. In 2008 - you have referred it; our Home Minister Shivraj Patil had resigned. The NSA was also changed at some stage. In BJP's case - the focus is only blame game and political polarisation. 

For party matters, I can share with you that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Minority Department recently convened a strategic meeting (on April 18) in New Delhi. We are slowly strengthening the department’s organizational structure from the block to booth level. You will find the difference in our work in Assam during 2026 assembly elections. 

Ques : As regard to Pahalgam attack, India has suspended Indus water flow to Pakistan. Pakistan has announced freeze to the Simla Agreement and also banned the airspace. How do you look at these? 

Sudip Roy Barman: 

At times I wonder what kinds of actions - kinetic or otherwise the Modi Govt is planning. The Simla Agreement or Indus water issues have long term ramifications too. But as of today - tell me - who is screwing whom? 

We will need seven to 10 years for a dam to prevent water flow the way we are planning. 

But Pakistan has acted quickly and suspended airspace disallowing our flights. India's entire civil aviation has been affected. So who will be losing out?

On Pahalgam, I have a few pertinent questions to be raised for the people at the highest levels. This terror attack was due to intelligence failure and hence accountability must be fixed at the top level. 

Some people will have to answer for the lapses. 

Rajesh Kumar Sethi  (AICC Minority Cell) : 

Obviously things are not good.  Despite Pahalgam tragedy and repeated assertions by the Modi Govt; it is true that troops from India and Pakistan are exchanging gunfire from time to time along the Line of Control.

We must try to understand things in a proper perspective.  Every Media channels showing PM Modi cut short his visit and came back to India, but for what ? 

A Prime Minister's priority should be visiting Pahalgam.

But his priority was to attend a poll campaign in Bihar and that too at a time when the bodies of our Indians were yet to be cremated.

He works only to save his Chair..... what action did he take on Security lapses where 3 tier security used to be.  

In 2008, we faced the similar situation but the Manmohan Singh Govt  handled things much better. Today it appears, the BJP leaders want that tension between the two countries should escalate. 

Ques : 

A strong action is likely no doubt. There will be retaliation from Pakistan too. But there is a sad reality that the terrorist group thought to be responsible for Pahalgan  is a Pakistani organization that deliberately targets innocent people.  

Sudip Roy Barman  (Congress leader, Tripura) : 

Of course Pakistan has to be blamed. My blood also boils. The Congress leadership in the 1970s and even later knew how to handle Pakistan better. 

Creation of Bangladesh was possible only because India had a strong prime minister Indira Gandhi ji then. 

There is definitely someone responsible for negligence and they must be held accountable for the consequences. Shri Modi ji’s strong-worded statement on punishing those responsible for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam does not have much meaning because such promises had been made in the past also.

Rajesh Kumar Sethi  (AICC Minority Cell) : 

I am not happy the manner the BJP government and leaders are politicizing security concerns. The Prime Minister has failed to address real crises. This is not the first instance of intelligence failure under Modi.

It’s yet another tragic chapter in the long series of failures under the Modi-Shah regime. But I can assure you one thing the entire nation stands united against terrorism. But the government must now show accountability.  

The so-called ‘New Kashmir’ is drowning in blood and fear. On the other hand, peace and development are nowhere to be seen. I also want to know what happened to 300 kg-RDX investigation on Pulwama. 

ends