To Cong: stop playing into hands of foreign nations, stop undermining India’s constitutional institutions

Shivang Satya Gupta

At the heart of any democracy lies the principle of accountability—not just for the ruling party, but also for the opposition. However, when the opposition begins to question the very institutions that uphold constitutional responsibility, the consequences are far more corrosive than mere political point-scoring. The Congress party’s conduct in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on Operation Sindoor is a glaring example of such institutional disrespect.
Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Monday, defending External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, cut straight to the chase. It is both troubling and telling that Congress MPs chose to dismiss the statement of India’s own External Affairs Minister—a constitutional authority who has taken an oath to serve the nation—and instead gave credence to remarks by a foreign leader. In this case, US President Donald Trump. This is not just a lapse in judgment; it is a betrayal of democratic norms and national interest.
S Jaishankar, as India’s top diplomat and a seasoned statesman, is the designated voice of the government on foreign affairs. His statements in Parliament are not off-the-cuff remarks but carry the weight of official policy and constitutional responsibility. By questioning his integrity and seeking validation from external sources, the Congress party has once again shown its alarming predisposition to undermine national institutions in pursuit of short-term political gains.
It is no secret that the Congress party has often shown a misplaced fascination with foreign validation. Whether it was seeking overseas platforms to criticise Indian democracy or relying on foreign think tanks to bolster domestic narratives, the pattern is consistent and disturbing. However, to cast doubt on a serving minister’s parliamentary testimony and elevate a foreign leader’s casual remark over it is not just irresponsible—it reeks of mental and moral corruption.
As Amit Shah rightly pointed out, there is a reason the Congress has been out of power for over a decade. A party that does not trust its own institutions or respect constitutional processes cannot hope to earn the trust of the people. And if this trend continues, it is not inconceivable that the Congress may remain in the opposition for another 20 years or more.
The Congress may do well to accept its historical mistakes, that its policies of the past have failed miserably, particularly, when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, and its affairs.
Equally heart-rending is to see that the party which takes credit for creating Bangladesh 5 decades ago, on the back of Indian Armed Forces, is also doubting the valour of our Forces in the Operation Sindoor.
India needs a robust opposition, not a reckless one. An opposition that holds the government accountable, certainly—but within the bounds of constitutional respect and national interest. When opposition parties begin to echo foreign voices while ignoring the statements of Indian ministers sworn under the Constitution, it is not just the government they undermine, but the very foundation of the Republic.
The Congress must introspect. Its duty is not just to oppose for the sake of opposition, but to contribute constructively to the democratic process. That begins with trusting the institutions of this country and respecting the individuals who are constitutionally empowered to speak on its behalf. Anything less is a disservice to India and to the legacy the Congress claims to uphold.