Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the joint US-Israel airstrikes, calling it a “despicable” act that warrants global condemnation.
In a post on X, she wrote, “The targeted assassination of the leadership of a sovereign nation by the so-called leaders of the democratic world and the killing of multitudes of innocent people is despicable and deserves strong condemnation, no matter what the proclaimed reason for it is.”
Priyanka Gandhi said it is tragic that multiple nations have now been dragged into conflict. “The world needs peace, not more unnecessary wars,” she added. She also invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s words, saying, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
The Congress leader further addressed the Indian government’s responsibility toward citizens in the Middle East. “I do hope that having genuflected before the Prime Minister of Israel and President Trump, our Prime Minister makes every effort to bring all Indian citizens in the affected countries back home to safety,” she said.
Opposition Criticism of Government Response
Earlier, the Congress had criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, calling it a betrayal of India’s values, principles, and national interests. The party said that both the substance and style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy are now costing the nation dearly.
The opposition urged the government to actively work to end hostilities and ensure the safety of all Indians in the Middle East amid the escalating conflict.
Background of the Attack
Ayatollah Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, was killed in a major airstrike by the United States and Israel on Saturday, targeting his compound in Tehran. Following the attack, US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to seize control of their destiny and rise against the country’s leadership that has ruled since 1979.
The Congress called the airstrikes a dangerous escalation, highlighting the urgent need for diplomacy and the protection of civilians, including the large number of Indian citizens living in the region.
