Did Congress Fuel Controversy by Showing J&K as Part of Pakistan?

Bengaluru, May 12 (NationPress) The Congress party has ignited a significant uproar after revelations emerged that its Karnataka unit shared a post on social media displaying the entire Jammu and Kashmir region as part of Pakistan.

This post, uploaded by Karnataka Congress -- @INCKarnataka -- on May 9 via its X account to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has since been removed.

The contentious post addressed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approving a loan of ₹8,500 crore to Pakistan and criticized the decision, asserting that the IMF ignored India's protests. It included an image of Prime Minister Modi along with a caption ridiculing him, stating that the IMF 'didn't care a bit for the Vishwa Guru.'

What incited outrage was the map featured in the post, illustrating all of Jammu and Kashmir within the boundaries of Pakistan. The post quickly attracted severe backlash and widespread public indignation on social media.

In light of the criticism, Congress swiftly deleted the post.

When questioned about the situation, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru, 'That is entirely incorrect. We have taken down the post.'

In response to inquiries about the Congress sharing posts that offend public sentiments and subsequently deleting them, Shivakumar stated, 'Maps cannot be altered, and someone has engaged in mischief. I have dismissed everyone accountable for posting that content.'

When asked about a viral post of a previous speech by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and criticism aimed at the BJP, Shivakumar refrained from commenting, asserting, 'I won't comment on that. Our national leaders will address the issue.'

Regarding the ongoing ceasefire situation, he again chose not to comment, saying, 'National leaders will speak on this matter. It will be evaluated by the Working Committee. We, at the state level, will refrain from commenting.'

Previously, the Congress-led Karnataka government, which disseminated a message advocating for peace during 'Operation Sindoor', deleted it following backlash.

The Congress on X had shared a quote from Mahatma Gandhi and a poster asserting that peace is humanity’s most potent weapon on May 7.

Nonetheless, the post was retracted within an hour after facing criticism.

After experiencing backlash, Karnataka State Congress President and Deputy CM Shivakumar shared a message commending the Indian Army for 'Operation Sindoor' and expressed solidarity with the Central government. His message was soon followed by a more detailed one from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who lauded the courage of the Indian Armed Forces.

CM Siddaramaiah declared that there is no room for terror on Indian soil.

In reaction to these messages from the CM and Dy CM, numerous users questioned the Congress party's prior peace message, particularly during a time when the Indian Army had initiated an offensive against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities.