'Must speak up': Rahul Gandhi demands Modi clarify stance on Iran leader’s assassination
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify whether he supports the assassination of a head of state as a means to shape the global order.
Gandhi’s remarks come amid escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, following confirmation that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in targeted strikes reportedly carried out by the US and Israel.
The former Congress chief warned that growing hostilities are pushing an already fragile region toward wider conflict, putting millions, including nearly a crore Indians, in uncertainty.
Calls for condemnation of unilateral attacks
Speaking on X, Gandhi stressed the need to condemn attacks that violate sovereignty.
“While security concerns are real, attacks that violate sovereignty will only worsen the crisis. The unilateral attacks on Iran, as well as Iran's attacks on other Middle Eastern nations, must be condemned. Violence begets violence – dialogue and restraint remain the only path to peace,” he said.
He added that India must maintain moral clarity and uphold international law: “India must be morally clear. We should have the courage to speak plainly in defence of international law and human lives. Our foreign policy is rooted in sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes – and it must remain consistent.”
Gandhi directly asked Modi: “Does he support the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order?”
Congress leaders criticise government’s silence
Earlier, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi criticised the Modi government’s silence over Khamenei’s killing, calling it “not neutral but an abdication” that raises doubts about India’s foreign policy.
She demanded that when Parliament reconvenes for the second part of the Budget session, the government’s “disturbing silence” on the breakdown of international order be debated openly.
Sharing Sonia Gandhi’s article on X, Rahul Gandhi said: “Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji writes at this critical global juncture, emphasising that India must stand for sovereignty and peace, and rediscover our moral strength.”
The US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump urged the Iranian public to take control of their destiny and rise against the Islamic leadership ruling since 1979.