No need of war with Pakistan, ensure security instead, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

TNN / Updated: Apr 27, 2025, 09:04 IST

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Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that war against Pakistan was unnecessary, emphasizing the need for stringent security measures and peace. He criticized the central government for security lapses and Prime Minister Modi's absence from the all-party meeting. BJP leader R Ashoka retorted, questioning Siddaramaiah's understanding of national security and emphasizing national unity.

No need of war with Pakistan, ensure security instead, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Saturday said there was no necessity to wage war against Pakistan, following the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
"Strict security measures must be initiated. We are not in favour of waging a war. There should be peace, people must feel secure, and the central govt should ensure effective security measures," he said in Mysuru.

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Reacting to the central govt's admission of a security lapse in Pahalgam, he added, "I have spoken the truth regarding the security lapse behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Proper security arrangements should have been made. That is a tourist spot visited by a large number of people. In the same region, at Pulwama, 40 soldiers had been killed earlier. They should have been extremely careful. There were both intelligence and security failures. People believed they were safe, but the central govt could not provide them security. The people trusted them, but the central govt failed."

Siddaramaiah also criticised PM Narendra Modi for not attending the all-party meeting convened after the attack. "The PM should have been present at the all-party meeting. Which is more important - the Bihar election campaign or the all-party meeting?" he asked.
The comments triggered a sharp response from BJP. Leader of opposition R Ashoka slammed Siddaramaiah, saying there was no need for his advice and questioned his understanding of national security matters. "It is Karnataka's misfortune that Siddaramaiah, who has 40 years of extensive political experience and has served twice as CM, lacks even the basic understanding of what to speak and when," Ashoka said.
"It is a direct challenge to India's sovereignty and dignity. In such a situation, the entire country must rise above party politics and unite with one voice. That is precisely why the central govt convened an all-party meeting to take all parties into confidence. All parties, including your own Congress' national leadership, have unanimously pledged their support for any decision taken by the Central govt," he said.

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