‘Stony Silence’ on Gaza: Sonia Gandhi Attacks Modi Govt, BJP Counters

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government, alleging that its “stony silence” and “inaction” on what she called Israel’s “Gaza genocide” were “not just morally reprehensible but also inexplicable from a national interest perspective.” She argued that India had alienated long standing partners such as Palestine, Iran and the wider Middle East while allowing Pakistan to “claim the space of a mediator.”

Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, days before the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, a “bewildering strategic decision”, Gandhi said, “The Modi government’s continued silence simply cannot be explained rationally or morally.” She cited the June 2026 report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry , headed by retired Justice S. Muralidhar , which she said concluded that Israeli actions in Gaza were intended to destroy the Palestinian population by targeting children. Quoting the report, she said at least 20,000 children had been killed, 44,000 injured and 97 per cent of Gaza’s schools destroyed.

While describing the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack as “dastardly, horrific, and absolutely unacceptable”, Gandhi said Israel’s retaliation had been marked by “wanton cruelty and barbarity”. She also cited actions by countries including France , the UK , Canada , Australia and South Africa , as well as proceedings before the International Criminal Court , to argue that global opinion had shifted against Israel.

Backing the article, Rahul Gandhi said on X, “India must reclaim its independent foreign policy, uphold humanitarian values, and speak up with moral clarity on Gaza.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Gandhi’s piece highlighted how India’s current foreign policy had alienated historical allies in Palestine, Iran and the wider Middle East.

The BJP strongly rejected the criticism, accusing the Congress of practising “vote bank politics” on foreign policy. The party defended the government’s approach, highlighted India’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and questioned the Congress’s selective outrage, pointing to its silence on attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh. As of Saturday evening, there was no separate response from the Prime Minister’s Office or the Ministry of External Affairs.