During a public rally in Jammu on September 25, 2024, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made a significant gaffe, mistakenly referring to Kashmiri Pandits as “refugees from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).” While addressing the rally, the slip occurred as Gandhi was discussing the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, who had been displaced during the insurgency in the 1990s. Recognizing the error, he swiftly corrected himself, reiterating, “The promises made to Kashmiri Pandits by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be fulfilled,” quickly pivoting the conversation back to the larger issue at hand.
This incident sparked an immediate reaction, with political opponents, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seizing the moment to criticize Gandhi. BJP leaders wasted no time in accusing Gandhi of undermining the sensitivities surrounding the Kashmiri Pandits’ struggle. The slip was framed as evidence of Congress’s supposed lack of connection with national security issues and regional sensitivities. BJP spokespersons highlighted the emotional weight that terms like “PoK” and “Kashmiri Pandits” carry, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where both communities face distinct challenges.
Rahul Gandhi has frequently faced backlash from BJP leaders, who accuse him of being out of touch with ground realities. Senior BJP figures, including Union Minister Anurag Thakur, have previously branded Gandhi an “agent of Pakistan,” pointing to instances like this as examples of Congress’s alleged softness on Pakistan-related issues.
Gandhi’s remarks come at a sensitive time when Kashmiri Pandits’ rehabilitation remains a complex issue. The displaced community has long sought justice and restitution for the violence and displacement they endured during the early 1990s. The BJP has often positioned itself as the champion of the Pandits, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly emphasizing the government’s commitment to their return and resettlement.
Gandhi’s rally in Jammu was part of a broader Congress effort to counter the BJP’s influence in the region, especially with assembly elections approaching. The Congress has been focusing on issues such as economic disparities, unemployment, and the treatment of minorities in the valley. Despite this slip of the tongue, Gandhi tried to redirect the conversation by criticizing the BJP government for not fulfilling its promises to Kashmiri Pandits.
While the BJP used the opportunity to target Congress, it is essential to note that the issue of Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from PoK are separate but highly emotional topics in the region. Kashmiri Pandits are Hindus who fled the Kashmir Valley during the 1990s insurgency, while PoK refugees refer to those displaced during the partition of India in 1947 and the wars that followed.
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Gandhi’s swift correction and his focus on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s unfulfilled promises highlight Congress’s attempt to position itself as a party committed to resolving the long-standing grievances of the Kashmiri Pandits. However, given the BJP’s firm grip on the narrative of nationalism and regional security, this incident may provide further ammunition for political attacks in the run-up to the elections.
