Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajasthan State President Madan Rathore on 16 October 2026 issued a clarification after a video clip from his speech at a Jaipur event went viral, triggering a sharp political row. In the clip, Rathore is heard saying 'we are with Pakistan' — a remark he says was made in the context of a hypothetical war between the United States and Pakistan, not India and Pakistan. Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), seized on the footage and demanded an explanation from Rathore and action from the BJP's central leadership.

What Rathore Actually Said

The speech in question was delivered at an event in Jaipur marking the birth anniversary of former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, attended in part by members of the Muslim community. According to Rathore, the discussion centred on India-Pakistan cricket matches and expressions of patriotism. He claimed he had argued that people who celebrate an Indian defeat against Pakistan by bursting firecrackers cannot be considered true patriots — and that references to other countries, including the US and Pakistan, arose in that broader rhetorical context.

Rathore alleged that only a 20-second excerpt of his speech had been selectively extracted and circulated with what he described as 'malicious intent', creating a misleading impression of his stated position. He asserted that the full speech made his stance unambiguous.

Rathore's Stand on Pakistan

Addressing reporters, Rathore rejected any suggestion that his remarks signalled a softer line on Pakistan. 'Our agenda is absolutely clear,' he said, reiterating his opposition to the neighbouring country. He went on to cite a series of grievances: the Pulwama terror attack, the alleged training and infiltration of militants across the border, and the smuggling of narcotics into Rajasthan and other Indian states. He maintained that these issues left no room for ambiguity in his position and that his opposition to Pakistan would remain firm. He also clarified that in the event of any war between India and Pakistan, 'we stand firmly with India.'

Opposition Attacks and BJP's Response

Congress and AAP leaders characterised the original remarks as inappropriate for a senior political figure and called on the BJP's central leadership to act. The BJP camp, in turn, accused the opposition of deliberately circulating a doctored clip to spread misinformation and damage Rathore's image. The exchange has sharpened the political war of words in Rajasthan, where the ruling BJP and the Congress have been in sustained confrontation on multiple fronts.

Notably, the controversy erupted on the birth anniversary of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam — an occasion typically associated with national unity — lending an additional layer of political sensitivity to the episode.

Context and What Comes Next

The incident follows a pattern in Indian politics where out-of-context video clips of public figures trigger rapid controversy on social media before fuller context becomes available. Critics argue that political leaders must be especially precise in their language on matters involving Pakistan, given persistent India-Pakistan tensions. The BJP has not announced any formal inquiry into the matter. Rathore's clarification and the opposition's counter-narrative are expected to remain a live political issue in Rajasthan in the days ahead.