Madan Rathore faces criticism over hypothetical US–Pakistan war remarks

Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore drew criticism from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders after suggesting at a programme in Jaipur on Thursday that India would support Pakistan in a hypothetical war with the United States. He cited Pakistan’s position as a neighbouring country.

Rathore made the remarks while discussing how people should understand relations between countries. He then added that, when a matter concerned India itself, his position would be to stand with India.

The comments concerned an imagined conflict between Washington and Islamabad. They were Rathore’s remarks at a public event, rather than an announcement of a government decision or a statement that such a war had begun.

Congress national spokesperson Shama Muhammed condemned his comments and demanded to know whether the BJP would take action against its Rajasthan unit chief. She also questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreed with him.

Congress national coordinator Sandeep Gupta criticised the remarks in a social media post. He alleged that Rathore’s statement demonstrated an affinity towards Pakistan on the part of the BJP.

AAP leaders also circulated the speech online. Ramesh Matiala, who heads the party’s youth wing in its Delhi unit, and party leader Vinay Mahabal Mishra shared the video without accompanying comments.

Ram Gupta, an AAP vice-president in Uttar Pradesh, went further, alleging an ideological similarity between the BJP and Pakistan. His criticism was directed at Rathore’s suggestion that geographical proximity would determine support in the hypothetical conflict.

Other social media users also objected to the remarks. The political responses centred on his statement about supporting Pakistan, while his subsequent qualification concerned standing with India in matters involving the country.