P Chidambaram Reveals UPA Avoided Retaliation After 2008 Mumbai Attacks, BJP Criticizes Move

National News: Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has revealed that the decision not to react immediately after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks was taken by the then UPA government. He claims intense international pressure and advice from the Ministry of External Affairs were behind this decision. The senior Congress leader admitted that "the thought of revenge crossed my mind," but the government decided against military action.

BJP leaders have reacted sharply to Chidambaram's statement, calling it "too little, too late."

What Chidambaram said

In an interview with a news channel, Chidambaram, who assumed the post of Union Home Minister just days after the attacks, said, "The whole world was coming to Delhi and telling us, 'Don't start a war.'"

He further said, "The then US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, came to meet me and the Prime Minister two or three days later and said, 'Please don't react.'" I said it was for the government to decide. Without revealing any government secrets, it occurred to me that we should respond."

Chidambaram also said that he discussed possible responses with the Prime Minister and "other important people." He recalled, "The Prime Minister had discussed this issue even during the attacks. And the conclusion was that, influenced primarily by suggestions from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Foreign Service, we should avoid any physical action."

Background of the Mumbai Attacks

On 26 November 2008, 10 terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba attacked Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Oberoi Trident, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, and Nariman House. Among them Ajmal Kasab was arrested by the Mumbai Police and was hanged in 2012.

BJP Reaction

BJP leaders did not accept Chidambaram's statement. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the former Home Minister admitted that the Mumbai attacks were mishandled due to foreign pressure.

BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla alleged that Chidambaram was initially hesitant to become Home Minister and wanted military action against Pakistan, but "there was more pressure from others." He questioned whether Sonia Gandhi or then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prevented action, and said the UPA government seemed to be under the influence of Condoleezza Rice.

He also alleged that the Congress gave Pakistan a 'clean chit' on the Mumbai attacks and the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing and promoted the story of "Hindu terrorism." Also, he criticized the UPA government for giving Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan.