New Delhi, July28,2025: He questioned why the government was certain the attackers were Pakistani nationals when “there’s no evidence” to that effect
Chidambaram Pahalgam controversy emerges
On 27 July 2025, in an interview with The Quint, P. Chidambaram raised critical questions about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering what is now known as the Chidambaram Pahalgam controversy
Allegations by Chidambaram
- He questioned why the government was certain the attackers were Pakistani nationals when “there’s no evidence” to that effect, and suggested “homegrown terrorists could be involved.
- Chidambaram accused the government of hiding tactical mistakes made during Operation Sindoor and refusing to disclose details of NIA’s investigation into the identities and origin of the terrorists.
- He urged acknowledgment of casualties on India’s side during Operation Sindoor, comparing it to wartime transparency seen in WWII under Winston Churchill.
Government Response and BJP’s Sharp Rebuttal
- The BJP strongly condemned Chidambaram’s remarks, with IT Cell chief Amit Malviya accusing the Congress of giving a “clean chit to Pakistan” and undermining national security.
- BJP spokespersons described the statements as congressional attempts to question our forces and stand with Pakistan rather than India.
Chidambaram’s Defense and Troll Allegations
- Chidambaram retaliated, calling out “trolls” who had taken selective quotes from his interview. He called them the “worst kind of troll” for suppressing the full context to defame him.
- He urged people to view the full The Quint interview to understand his statements in context and said the opposition alliance (INDIA bloc) would raise these critical questions in Parliament debates.
Parliamentary Fallout: Operation Sindoor Debate
- A 16-hour long Rajya Sabha debate is scheduled next Tuesday on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, created amid pressure from the opposition to thoroughly examine the government’s actions
- Chidambaram and other Congress MPs, including Imran Masood and Manickam Tagore, warned that the government is avoiding substantive questioning by stalling or diverting attention.
Wider Political Implications
- This Chidambaram Pahalgam controversy has become a flashpoint in Parliament, with the BJP aiming to use it to portray the opposition as weak on terrorism while the Congress pushes for greater transparency.
- The issue also revives old debates over the role of U.S. diplomacy—particularly former President Donald Trump’s claim of brokering the ceasefire—and whether India’s decisions are influenced externally. Chidambaram called for full disclosure of that involvement.
International & Security Analysis
- The Pahalgam terror attack, committed by TRF (proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba), killed 26 civilians and triggered aggressive Indian retaliation via Operation Sindoor. India maintains the attackers were Pakistani nationals, while dropping of bombs across border escalated tensions with Pakistan.
- Chidambaram’s assertions challenge the security establishment narrative and demand clarity on how terrorists crossed the border without detection, if they were indeed foreign nationals.
