Priyanka Gandhi criticizes the Modi government for abstaining from a UN resolution on Gaza, calling it a moral failure. She accuses the Centre of betraying India’s legacy of justice and non-violence amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the Modi government for abstaining from a United Nations General Assembly resolution that called for the protection of civilians in Gaza and adherence to international legal and humanitarian norms. The resolution, passed with 149 votes in favor and only 12 against—including the United States—saw India among the 19 nations that abstained, drawing criticism both domestically and globally.
Priyanka Gandhi, Member of Parliament from Wayanad and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to express her deep disappointment and anger at India’s decision. “60,000 people, mostly women and children, have already been killed. An entire population is being confined and starved to death, and we are refusing to take a stand,” she wrote, calling the abstention “shameful and disappointing.”
The resolution, which condemned the escalating violence in Gaza and urged all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, did not explicitly name Israel but was widely seen as a criticism of its military operations. India, while reiterating the importance of a peaceful resolution and dialogue, chose not to back the resolution, citing the need for constructive efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
However, this stance has sparked backlash from various political quarters. Priyanka Gandhi described India’s abstention as a “tragic reversal of our anti-colonial legacy” and accused the government of betraying the country’s historic moral compass. “Not only are we standing silent as Netanyahu annihilates an entire nation, we are cheering on as his government attacks Iran and assassinates its leadership in flagrant violation of its sovereignty and all international norms,” she wrote.
She questioned how a country built on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi—justice, non-violence, and constitutionalism—could remain indifferent to such a humanitarian catastrophe. “There is no justification for this. True global leadership demands the courage to defend justice — and India has shown this courage unfailingly in the past,” she added.
Gandhi’s remarks appear to serve both as a moral appeal and a political critique. With the Nilambur assembly by-election scheduled for June 19, her statement also carries significance in the regional political context. Nilambur, part of her Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, has a significant Muslim population and has shown sympathy towards the Palestinian cause historically. Her comments are likely to resonate with local sentiments and could influence electoral dynamics.
It is also notable that the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has consistently criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Vijayan and other Left leaders have condemned what they describe as “genocide” and “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people, and have urged the central government to take a firm moral stand.
India’s abstention, while framed as a diplomatic balancing act, has increasingly come under scrutiny. Critics argue that such neutrality in the face of humanitarian disasters weakens India’s global image as a moral leader. In contrast, supporters of the government claim that abstaining maintains India’s strategic autonomy and avoids alienating key international partners.
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Yet, for Priyanka Gandhi, the issue transcends diplomatic calculations. Her call to “reclaim India’s moral voice” highlights a growing concern among opposition leaders that the country is drifting away from its foundational values. “In a world that is increasingly divisive, we must stand fearlessly for truth, humanity, and non-violence,” she concluded.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, India’s diplomatic choices will remain under the microscope. With prominent national figures like Priyanka Gandhi raising strong objections, the political implications of India’s foreign policy are likely to become a major issue in the coming months.
