Pralhad Joshi: Congress 'jealous' of Operation Sindoor, acts as Pakistan well-wisher
Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi went on the offensive in Hubballi, accusing Congress of jealousy over Operation Sindoor's success and labelling the party a 'well-wisher of Pakistan.' On the same day, he demanded the Karnataka government reverse the suspension of two teachers penalised for joining an RSS march — combining national security politics with a local governance flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi alleged on 28 August that Congress is 'jealous' of the Modi government's Operation Sindoor .
Joshi claimed Congress behaves as a 'well-wisher of Pakistan' whenever India takes military action against the neighbouring country.
He invoked the Condoleezza Rice episode to allege that a past Congress government backed down from action against Pakistan under US pressure.
Two government school teachers in Yadgir, Karnataka were suspended for allegedly participating in an RSS route march in October 2025 .
Joshi called the suspension 'vindictive and cowardly' and demanded immediate withdrawal, citing past court rulings in similar cases.
The Karnataka state government has defended the action as being in line with applicable service rules.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday, 28 August accused the Indian National Congress of being jealous of the Narendra Modi government's successful Operation Sindoor, alleging the opposition party behaves like a 'well-wisher of Pakistan' whenever India undertakes military action against its neighbour. Joshi made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Karnataka.
Joshi's Charge Against Congress
The minister, who holds portfolios for Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, alleged that Congress remained silent on the capabilities of the Indian armed forces and Prime Minister Modi's political direction until Operation Sindoor was successfully concluded.
'Till Operation Sindoor was successfully conducted, the Congress had nothing to say about the capabilities and valour of the Indian Army or the political direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When Condoleezza Rice came here and asked the Congress government not to attack Pakistan, they shut their shops and remained quiet,' Joshi claimed.
He further alleged that Congress turned critical only after the operation was carried out. 'From the day Operation Sindoor was successfully conducted, they have become jealous. They are well-wishers of Pakistan,' Joshi said.
RSS Teachers' Suspension Row
Joshi also trained his guns on the Karnataka state government over its suspension of two government school teachers in Yadgir district, who were penalised for allegedly participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march held in October 2025. The disciplinary action followed a complaint that the teachers had attended the programme while in government service.
Calling the suspension politically motivated, Joshi alleged it stemmed from 'hatred' and political vendetta. 'The state government is acting out of hatred. Since the 1970s, courts have dismissed such cases against people who participated in RSS activities. The case will not stand in court and the government will lose its reputation,' he said.
Joshi demanded the immediate withdrawal of the suspension orders, describing the action as 'vindictive and cowardly.' He noted that courts had previously quashed similar disciplinary proceedings against government employees who participated in RSS activities.
Political Fallout in Karnataka
The twin controversies — over Operation Sindoor criticism and the RSS teachers' suspension — have deepened the political fault lines in Karnataka. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress-led state government of targeting RSS sympathisers, while the state government has defended the Education Department's decision, stating it was initiated in accordance with applicable service rules.
This is not the first time BJP leaders have accused Congress of being soft on Pakistan; such charges have been a recurring feature of BJP political messaging, particularly after high-profile military operations. The teachers' suspension row, meanwhile, echoes a pattern of disputes between BJP and Congress over government employees' participation in RSS events — a legal grey area that courts have repeatedly been asked to adjudicate.
What Happens Next
Legal observers note that courts have historically taken a nuanced view on government employees' participation in RSS activities, making the Yadgir suspensions likely to face judicial scrutiny. On the Operation Sindoor political front, both parties are expected to continue trading charges as the issue remains electorally salient in Karnataka and nationally.
Point of View
But its durability as a political weapon reflects a genuine gap Congress has struggled to close: credibly projecting a muscular national security identity without appearing to validate the government's framing of Operation Sindoor. The Yadgir teachers' suspension is the more consequential story — it tests whether courts will once again draw the line between service conduct rules and political targeting of RSS affiliates. That legal question has never been cleanly resolved, and Karnataka's Congress government is walking into a courtroom battle it may not easily win, as Joshi himself noted.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pralhad Joshi say about Congress and Operation Sindoor?
Joshi alleged that Congress was 'jealous' of the Modi government's successful Operation Sindoor and that the party acts as a 'well-wisher of Pakistan' whenever India takes military action against its neighbour. He made these remarks at a press interaction in Hubballi on 28 August.
What is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor is a military operation conducted by the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Joshi described it as a successful operation that demonstrated the capabilities and valour of the Indian armed forces.
Why were the two Karnataka teachers suspended?
Two government school teachers in Yadgir district, Karnataka, were suspended by the Education Department for allegedly participating in an RSS route march held in October 2025 while serving as government employees. The action followed a formal complaint against them.
What has the BJP said about the teachers' suspension?
The BJP, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, has called the suspension politically motivated, describing it as 'vindictive and cowardly.' Joshi demanded immediate withdrawal of the orders and said courts have historically dismissed similar disciplinary actions against employees who participated in RSS activities.
How has the Karnataka government responded to the suspension controversy?
The Karnataka state government has defended the Education Department's decision, stating that disciplinary action was initiated in accordance with applicable service rules after a complaint was received about the teachers' participation in the RSS event.
