Congress deletes ‘gayab’ post on PM Modi after backlash; Venugopal cautions leaders to adhere to party line on Pahalgam

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with party General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal, party MP Mukul Wasnik, party Gujarat President Shaktisinh Gohil and other leaders during a Co-ordination Committee meeting, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Congress on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) asked its leaders not to speak out of order and toe the party line on the Pahalgam terror attack or face disciplinary action.

The Congress also deleted a pictorial X post titled “Gayab” to portray Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader missing in action during a crisis, after an offensive by the BJP, which alleged that it was a ‘sar tan se juda’ imagery and an attempt to weaken India.

The warning comes in the wake of comments made by some party leaders that stirred a controversy and allowed the BJP to attack the Congress, accusing it of speaking on behalf of terrorists and of being pro-Pakistan.

In a letter to all PCC chiefs, CLP leaders, party general secretaries and in-charges, MPs, MLAs/MLCs and heads of various departments and frontal organisations, AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal asked them to exercise utmost discipline and consistency in public communication and not speak out of place on the Pahalgam incident.

“All functionaries are instructed to exercise utmost discipline and consistency in public communication,” Mr. Venugopal said, adding that those authorised to speak on behalf of the party must confine themselves to the CWC’s stated position in the resolution.

“Any contravention of this directive will invite strict disciplinary action without exception,” Mr. Venugopal asserted.

Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed and several were injured when terrorists opened fire at a meadow near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on April 22.

Mr. Venugopal, in the letter, said the Congress party is deeply anguished by the reprehensible terrorist attack in Pahalgam and stands in unwavering solidarity with the nation during this hour of grief.

“At this critical juncture, when our collective resolve is being tested, the Indian National Congress must exemplify unity, maturity, and responsibility — virtues that have defined our conduct through decades of national service, in government and in opposition alike,” Mr. Venugopal said.

He said the Congress Working Committee (CWC), chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, adopted a unanimous resolution on April 24, setting forth the party’s clear and considered stand on the Pahalgam attack.

This resolution must serve as the sole basis for all public expressions of the party’s stance on the matter, he noted.

“It is, therefore, hereby directed that all comments, statements, and representations — whether by party leaders, spokespersons, media panellists, or official handles of the Congress Social Media Department — must strictly adhere to the CWC resolution.

“Any deviation, misrepresentation, or off-the-cuff remark that diverges from the official line shall be deemed a serious breach of party discipline,” Mr. Venugopal said.

Let us remain mindful of the values and traditions of the Congress party and rise to the occasion with the dignity and restraint that the nation rightfully expects of us, he said.

Mr. Venugopal said every Indian is looking for justice for the families of innocent fellow citizens who lost their lives.

“Every Indian seeks answers on accountability from the government. The Congress party has always shouldered its responsibilities with a profound sense of national duty. Our history bears testimony to the fact that we have consistently placed national interest above all else, especially during moments of national crisis,” he said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior Maharashtra leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Karnataka minister R. B. Timmapur and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband Robert Vadra have triggered a row with some of them questioning the need for a war with Pakistan and the Pahalgam attack victims’ account that the terrorists had marked out non-Muslims.

Earlier in the day, the Congress put up a social media post with a headless figurine. The image posted on X by the Congress without naming Mr. Modi showed an old photo of him with his body missing, and his clothes forming the outline.

The image carried the message ‘Gayab’ (missing) on top with a caption in Hindi that read “jimmedari ke samay — Gayab” (missing at the time of taking responsibility).

After it was removed, BJP’s social media head Amit Malviya said on X, ” Deleting the post won’t erase the truth. Your ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ mindset stands exposed.”

“You are unapologetic Islamists who wouldn’t hesitate to target even Prime Minister Modi if it meant clawing back to power. But you never will. The Rahul Gandhi generation is destined for political irrelevance, while India moves forward without you, and far beyond your reach,” Mr. Malviya said.