Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore says 'Pak' remark was distorted with malicious intent
Synopsis
Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore is fighting a political fire of his own making — insisting a viral clip of him saying India would 'stand with Pakistan' in a US-Pakistan war was ripped out of its cricket-match context. With Congress labelling him 'anti-national' and a charged India-Pakistan backdrop, his clarification may have come too late to contain the damage.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore issued a clarification on 16 October over his remark that India would side with Pakistan in a US-Pakistan war.
Rathore insists the statement was made in the context of an India-Pakistan cricket match , not geopolitics, and was edited out of context.
He alleged that only the last two lines of his speech video were circulated, stripping the remark of its original meaning.
Rathore reaffirmed a hard line on Pakistan, citing the Pulwama terror attack and Pakistan's alleged sponsorship of terrorism and narcotics trafficking.
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed called Rathore an 'anti-national' based on the viral clip.
Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore on Friday, 16 October issued a clarification on his widely-circulated remark about India siding with Pakistan, insisting that his original statement had been "distorted" by individuals acting with "malicious intent". The controversy erupted after a video clip of a speech delivered at a programme in Jaipur went viral, in which Rathore appeared to say India would stand with Pakistan if war broke out between Pakistan and the United States.
What Rathore Said He Actually Meant
The Rajasthan BJP chief maintained that the remark was rooted firmly in the context of a cricket match — not geopolitics. "My statement was in the context of an India-Pakistan cricket match," he said. "I was speaking at an event for the Muslim community, where the topic came up that if India were to lose a cricket match against Pakistan, anyone who sets off firecrackers at that moment is not a patriot of this country."
He added that his reference to Pakistan playing against America was simply a hypothetical extension of that argument. "I did add that it would be a different matter if Pakistan were playing against America. People have distorted what I said, which is not right. I believe that whoever presented it this way did so with malicious intent," he said.
The Original Remark That Sparked the Row
At the Jaipur programme, Rathore had stated: "When it comes to India...If a war breaks out between the US and Pakistan today, we will stand with Pakistan because it is our neighbour... But when it comes to an issue among ourselves, we stand with our India. Right? That is what we need to understand." The remarks spread rapidly on social media, drawing immediate criticism.
Rathore alleged that only the final two lines of the video were edited and circulated out of context, stripping the statement of its original meaning. "The way this has been presented suggests that those responsible harbour ill will toward me," he claimed.
Rathore Reaffirms India's Hard Line on Pakistan
Distancing himself firmly from any pro-Pakistan interpretation, Rathore asserted that India's position on its western neighbour is unambiguous. "India's stance regarding Pakistan is very clear — there is no possibility of us ever reuniting," he said.
He further recalled the Pulwama terror attack, saying Pakistan has consistently acted against India's interests. "Pakistan has not treated us well. They train terrorists and send them here. They also engage in other activities against India, both direct and indirect, such as sending narcotics into India. Therefore, we hold a strong opposition towards Pakistan," he added.
Opposition Calls Rathore 'Anti-National'
The original remarks drew sharp pushback from the opposition. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed labelled Rathore an "anti-national", using the viral clip as a basis for her criticism. The Congress is likely to keep the controversy alive despite Rathore's clarification, particularly given the charged India-Pakistan atmosphere.
Notably, this is not the first time a BJP leader's remarks on Pakistan have ignited a political storm. Statements made in community-specific settings — where rhetorical framing can diverge sharply from official party line — have repeatedly become flashpoints in recent years. The incident underscores the heightened sensitivity around India-Pakistan discourse, especially in the current security climate. How the BJP central leadership responds — or chooses not to — will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
Calibrated for a particular audience, can detonate spectacularly when clipped and redistributed. Rathore's cricket-framing defence is plausible in isolation, but the original words — 'if a war breaks out between the US and Pakistan, we will stand with Pakistan' — carry their own plain meaning. The BJP's silence at the central level is conspicuous; party leaders typically receive swift backing or swift distance, not this grey zone. The Congress will keep this alive precisely because it contradicts the BJP's own hawkish Pakistan narrative — and that contradiction is genuinely newsworthy, not just opposition point-scoring.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madan Rathore say about Pakistan that caused controversy?
At a programme in Jaipur, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore said: 'If a war breaks out between the US and Pakistan today, we will stand with Pakistan because it is our neighbour.' The clip went viral and drew immediate criticism from the opposition.
What is Rathore's clarification on the Pakistan remark?
Rathore says the statement was made strictly in the context of an India-Pakistan cricket match, arguing his point was about patriotism during a cricket loss — not foreign policy. He alleges that only the final two lines of his speech were edited and shared out of context with malicious intent.
How has the Congress responded to Rathore's remark?
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed labelled Rathore an 'anti-national' based on the viral clip. The party has used the remark to target the BJP, particularly given the heightened India-Pakistan tensions in the current security environment.
What is Rathore's actual stated position on Pakistan?
Despite the controversy, Rathore has firmly reiterated a hardline stance — asserting that India and Pakistan will never reunite, citing the Pulwama terror attack, cross-border terrorism, and narcotics trafficking as evidence of Pakistan's hostility toward India.
Is this the first time a BJP leader's remark on Pakistan has caused controversy?
No. BJP leaders' statements on Pakistan made in community-specific or informal settings have repeatedly triggered political rows in recent years. The pattern reflects the acute sensitivity around India-Pakistan discourse, especially when remarks appear to diverge from the party's official hawkish line.
