Karnataka Excise Minister RB Timmapur stirred controversy on Saturday by questioning the accounts of survivors from the Pahalgam terror attack, suggesting that militants “wouldn’t have time to verify religion before firing.”
The April 22 attack in Kashmir led to the death of 26 tourists. Survivors alleged that terrorists forced them to recite Kalma and checked their religious identity before executing the victims.
Responding, Timmapur argued, “How practical is it for someone to ask a victim’s caste or religion before shooting?” He further implied that mental trauma could have clouded some survivors’ recollections, referring to comments from Manjunath’s wife, Pallavi, who mentioned Muslims saving her son during the assault.
He questioned, “If religion mattered, why were Muslims among the victims too?”
The remarks drew sharp criticism. BJP leader R Ashoka lashed out on social media, accusing the Congress of sympathizing with radical elements and undermining national security narratives.
Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, facing backlash for previous remarks, clarified, “I never said there should be no war with Pakistan. If necessary, war will happen; I simply stressed that, for now, peace should be prioritized.”
In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address, vowed stern punishment for the attackers and emphasized that the Pahalgam assault was an attempt to derail Kashmir’s developmental progress, which has seen unprecedented growth in tourism and youth opportunities.
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