In a searing critique published in Dainik Jagran, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi labeled the Israeli military campaign in Gaza as “genocide”, asserting that India’s silence under the Modi government is not only morally indefensible but a cowardly betrayal of India’s constitutional values.
Calling out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “shameful silence” on Israel’s ongoing and devastating assault on Palestinian civilians, Mrs. Gandhi emphasized that such silence, particularly from a country like India with a rich legacy of standing for justice and humanity, is deeply disappointing and reflects moral cowardice.
She condemned Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, and its continued hostage-holding, stating they must be “unequivocally denounced.” However, she also highlighted that Israel’s retaliation has crossed the bounds of legality and humanity, resulting in over 55,000 Palestinian deaths, including 17,000 children, in just under two years.
Citing the obliteration of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals and residential areas, Gandhi described the situation as a “man-made tragedy” worsened by deliberate blockades on humanitarian aid — a tactic she called a crime against humanity.
Mrs. Gandhi went on to say:
“In a perversion of every idea of humanity, Israeli soldiers have fired on civilians seeking food. Even the UN and the IDF have acknowledged these atrocities.”
She accused the global community, especially the United Nations, of failing to act decisively. Resolutions for ceasefires and ICJ rulings have been ignored with impunity, she pointed out. Gandhi also critiqued U.S. support for Israel, saying it has emboldened the ongoing offensive.
Amid this vacuum in global leadership, nations like South Africa, Brazil, France, the UK, and Canada have taken bold stances — either by taking Israel to the International Court of Justice or by imposing sanctions on officials responsible for aggression.
Gandhi lamented that India, once a global moral compass, is now a “mute spectator” to a humanitarian crisis that demands action. She reminded readers of India’s history — from supporting the PLO in 1974 under Indira Gandhi to recognizing the State of Palestine in 1988 — and urged a return to those values of justice, peace, and leadership.
“India’s abdication of its moral responsibility is a blot on our national conscience,” she wrote, adding that the Directive Principles of State Policy compel the government to promote peace, international law, and just relations.
Conclusion:
With global attention on the crisis in Gaza, Sonia Gandhi’s article is a wake-up call for India’s leadership to step forward and uphold the values that once positioned it as a beacon of justice. As the Global South looks to India, her appeal presses for the Modi government to speak boldly and restore India’s moral voice on the global stage.
