18 May 2023
Chidambaram’s Controversial Terror Comment Sparks BJP Outrage – Top News In India
By ReportBuzz Staff Writer | July 24, 2025
Amid a political row that refuses to subside, former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram's recent remark terming most terror threats to India as "homegrown" has spurred a shrill attack by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of "whitewashing" Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism and undermining India's national position.
This controversy has rapidly become one of the top news in India, especially as the nation continues to grapple with complex challenges in internal security and diplomatic relations.
In a statement during a panel discussion in Chennai last week, Chidambaram stated, "Let's be honest — most of the terror threats India is facing are domestic. We have to face reality inside rather than constantly putting the blame outside." The remark has invited widespread condemnation, especially from BJP leaders who have read it as an effort to exonerate Pakistan from accountability for decades of Pakistan-sponsored terror against India.
BJP Strikes Back: "Chidambaram Giving Pakistan a Clean Chit"
Acting quickly, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia attacked Chidambaram at a press conference convened in New Delhi, stating, "This is not the first time the Congress party has attempted to come to Pakistan's defense. But what Mr. Chidambaram has stated is not only shameful, it is also dangerous. He is giving a clean chit to a nation that has been identified worldwide as a sponsor of terrorism."
Union Minister Anurag Thakur also weighed in, inquiring, "Is this Congress' official stand? That Pakistan is not guilty and all India's issues are within? This is a betrayal of the courageous jawans, victims of Pulwama, Mumbai, and Uri. India expects more."
The BJP made sure to make it clear that it would not let Chidambaram's comment go unpunished, particularly as India is still dealing with terror threats along the Line of Control (LoC) and in Jammu and Kashmir. This strong response also became a focal point among the 5 latest news of India today circulating in national media.
Context: A Sensitive Time for a Controversial Statement
Chidambaram made this observation at a policy roundtable hosted by a think tank specializing in internal security. In talking about India's anti-terror efforts, the veteran Congress leader dwelled on the requirements for reforms in intelligence and interactions with society. "We must put an end to analyzing every terror attack in terms of cross-border infiltration. Most attacks are conceived through domestic radicalization, socio-political alienation, and policy failure," he further said.
But critics say that such a comment from a former Home Minister is simplistic and entirely ignores the well-documented involvement of Pakistan's ISI and terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in terrorist strikes like 26/11 Mumbai, Pulwama, and Pathankot.
"Domestic radicalization happens, yes. But who is igniting it? Who is sponsoring it? That's the part Mr. Chidambaram conveniently omits," observed BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore.
Congress Comes to Chidambaram's Defense: "Misquoted, Taken Out of Context"
The Congress party came to the defense of Chidambaram when the latter was criticized for his remarks. The party said that Chidambaram's words were taken out of context and manipulated for political gains. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate remarked, "Mr. Chidambaram never exonerated Pakistan. He only emphasized that our internal security needs introspection and community-based policing is required. The BJP must desist from distorting facts in order to generate false outrage."
She also added, "The Modi government's habit of labeling every opposition leader as 'anti-national' whenever a criticism is directed at them, is not only undemocratic but perilous for civil discourse."
Chidambaram himself turned to social media to make his point clear, tweeting on X (formerly Twitter):
"Nowhere in my statement have I said Pakistan is not involved in terrorism. I merely pointed out that certain threats are homegrown and need homegrown solutions. People who say otherwise are playing selective outrage."
Political Tug-of-War: Is National Security Being Politicized?
This is not the first time national security has become a political hot potato between Congress and BJP. Previously, comments from Rahul Gandhi regarding the effectiveness of surgical strikes or remarks on China's belligerence have elicited such criticism from the BJP. With the 2025 Assembly elections in many crucial states approaching and the 2026 General Elections looming, political pundits are convinced that the BJP will leverage Chidambaram's comment to further its narrative of national security.
Describing this to ReportBuzz, political analyst Ruchi Sinha said, "This controversy suits the BJP. It allows them to drive the narrative of Congress being 'soft on terror' — something they have benefited from in the past. Whether that is a reality or not is irrelevant once the media cycle gets overloaded with these soundbites."
Others, including some independent voices in the academic and media communities, have supported Chidambaram's broader thesis regarding the emergence of indigenous radicalism and the danger it poses to India's internal cohesion.
This debate has also influenced India breaking news now sections across leading news portals.
The Security Community Responds
Within the strategic and intelligence community, responses to Chidambaram's comments have been divided.
Ex-RRAW officer N. Raman informed ReportBuzz, "What Mr. Chidambaram is stating isn't false in itself. All nations have domestic issues. But presenting the argument as either 'homegrown or cross-border' is misleading. The fact is — both happen, and sometimes, they blend."
Another retired IB officer, who wished not to be named, interjected, "We must not minimize Pakistan's involvement. But yes, we have to be equally careful about what's going on inside our country. Radicalization does not always start overseas."
Public Opinion: Split and Loud
As the controversy spilled over onto social media sites, netizens were split. While BJP supporters accused Chidambaram of diluting India's stance against terror, others pointed out the need to recognize all aspects of the threat.
"Chidambaram is merely saying something obvious. There are internal threats. Denial isn't going to do us any good," posted one user on X.
On the other hand, another trending post was: "When you hold India accountable for its own terror problems, you're giving Pakistan a free pass. Shameful from an ex-Home Minister."
Hashtags such as #ChidambaramCleanChit, #HomegrownTerror, and #BJPvsCongress trended on Indian Twitter (X) for hours after the controversy. These debates also made headlines in today national news segments throughout the day.
A Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first controversy Chidambaram has caused with his remarks on national security. As Home Minister, he had been questioned for his response to the 2008 Batla House encounter and had been accused of political interference in some investigations.
Certain BJP leaders brought out these ancient allegations to challenge his credibility. "The man who questioned his own police force during Batla House is now sermonizing about internal security?" asked BJP's Amit Malviya.
Congress leaders, on the other hand, referred to how the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was created and substantial counter-terrorist reforms were made after 26/11 under Chidambaram's leadership.
Conclusion: Words That Will Linger in the Political Arena
In the ultra-polarized and media-sensitive Indian political environment, each word uttered by a top leader is analyzed under the microscope — particularly when it involves national security. Chidambaram's "homegrown terrorists" statement might have been based on sincere policy concern, but its interpretation has been politicized.
The BJP, taking advantage of the situation, has presented it as one more instance of the Congress party's "soft" approach to terrorism and Pakistan. The Congress, however, interprets it as an effort to strangle sane discussion and deflect attention from intelligence and border failure.
As India persists in battling a multidimensional terror threat — from cross-border attacks to web-based radicalization — the requirement for a collective, bipartisan strategy has never been more urgent. Sadly, given elections looming on the horizon, political theater will take precedence over policy consensus.
Whether or not Chidambaram's words were misquoted or were actually controversial depends on one's perspective. But the political fallout has made one thing certain: in India, any statement on national security can soon become a battlefield of ideologies, headlines, and hashtags — as reflected across latest news of India and major bulletins airing today national news updates.
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