Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday issued a clarification after a controversy broke out over his comments regarding war with Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
While responding to questions on Saturday about India’s possible reaction, Siddaramaiah emphasized that there was no need for war, but urged the Centre to implement strict and effective security measures to ensure the safety of the people. “Peace should prevail across the country. The Centre must strengthen security to protect the people,” he said.
Following criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—which cited Pakistani media coverage of his remarks and mockingly called him ‘Pakistan Ratna’—the Congress leader clarified his stance.
Taking to social media platform X, Siddaramaiah stated, “War should always be a nation’s last resort — never the first, nor the only option. Only when every other means to defeat the enemy has failed, should a country be compelled to go to war.”
He reiterated that while peace is preferable, national security must remain a top priority in response to terrorist threats.
