If Congress does not take a stand now, it sends a dangerous message: that political image-building is more important than human rights, party principles, or public sentiment
Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa | Clarion India
AT a time when Israel stands accused of committing war crimes in Gaza — including its relentless bombing of hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, killing thousands of children and civilians — Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s meeting last week (May 27) with Israeli Deputy Consul General Inbal Stone is not just ill-advised; it is a betrayal.
Shivakumar, the Congress party’s prominent face in Karnataka and the south, hosted the Israeli diplomat in Vidhana Soudha (legislature building) in the state’s capital, posed for pictures, and publicly expressed interest in strengthening ties with a state that much of the world is denouncing for genocide. In doing so, he has not only offended the moral conscience of the people of Karnataka but also trampled upon the foundational values of his own party.
A Slap in the Face of Congress’s Legacy
The Indian National Congress has a proud, decades-long record of standing with Palestine and opposing colonial aggression. Just months ago, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra denounced the bombardment of Gaza as “cold-blooded murder” and “genocide,” calling on India to “stand up for what is right.” Congress has historically supported the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, consistent with Mahatma Gandhi’s position that: “Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English.”
So, when a top Congress leader warmly meets a representative of a regime accused of brutalising civilians and violating international law, the question arises — what values is the Congress party actually standing for?
Karnataka Reacts: Social Media Uproar
In Karnataka, Shivakumar’s meeting has provoked a wave of sharp criticism across social media.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “You can’t build your CM image on the graves of Palestinian children, Mr Shivakumar.”
Another user questioned: “What happened to Congress’s solidarity with Palestine? Is this a new political convenience?”
These aren’t fringe voices — they represent the sentiment of countless peace-loving Indians who feel betrayed by a party that claims to represent justice and secular values.
Not Just a Diplomatic Misstep
As an elected representative, Shivakumar is expected to reflect the conscience of the people. India, and especially Karnataka, has always stood with oppressed peoples — from the anti-apartheid movement to the Palestinian cause. The only significant section of Indian society that ideologically aligns with Israel’s policies of occupation and aggression is the Sangh Parivar, whose supremacist worldview mirrors that of Israel’s current regime.
By aligning — even symbolically — with Israel at this moment, DK Shivakumar risks being seen not just as politically tone-deaf but as morally compromised.
Conscience or Convenience?
This is not just a diplomatic faux pas. It is a statement. A statement that risks alienating the Congress base — especially youth, civil society, and secular-minded voters.
If Congress does not take a stand now, it sends a dangerous message: that political image-building is more important than human rights, party principles, or public sentiment.
Leadership is not measured in handshakes, but in where one stands when it truly matters. For Shivakumar and the Congress, that moment is now.
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Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa is a journalist and opinion writer based in Karnataka. He focuses on human rights, interfaith relations, and social justice.
