Pahalgam Attack: Congress’ ‘Gayab’ Jibe At PM Modi Draws BJP Ire, Gets Pakistan Ex-Minister’s Thumbs-Up

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:April 29, 2025, 10:43 IST

The ‘gayab’ poster, which was shared from Congress party’s regional handles as well, indicates that the government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Congress party has stirred a fresh controversy with a poster that says ‘gayab’ (missing) over a bandhgala kurta, churidar pyjama and a black footwear. Though, the outfit — which seems to be worn by someone — does not have a face. People on social media were quick to identify that the styling is similar to that of the prime minister. While it received a severe backlash from many Indians, Pakistan’s former minister reshared the poster with hashtag ‘Naughty Congress’.

The poster, which was shared from Congress party’s regional handles as well, indicates that the government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack that led to killing of at least 26 people on April 22.

Resharing grand old party’s poster, former minister Fawad Ahmed Hussain Chaudhry wrote, “Had heard about missing horns from donkey’s head, but here Modi has gone missing.”

Disgruntled netizens asked the Congress to first catch its hare and slammed it for going soft on Pakistan in the past or disappearing whenever the neighbouring country attacked India. “100%true congress used to be in Gayab mode whenever they attacked india (sic),” an X user wrote.

(This reaction equates Congress’ thoughts to that of Pakistan. It compares Congress poster to Pakistan diplomat’s controversial throat-slit gesture at Pahalgam attack protesters.)

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Giving a befitting reply to Congress, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the party does not only speak like Pakistan but their working culture and customs have also started resembling that of Islamabad’s.

“Congress party has shared an image in which PM Narendra Modi’s head is missing — similar to Pakistani envoy’s throat-slit gesture at Indians. Congress is speaking the language of Pakistanis and behaving like terrorists,” he added.

BJP’s West Bengal leader, Lakshmi Singh, replied to Congress with a poster that has an image of Prime Minister Modi and a message that loosely translates to, “It’s time to destroy even the remaining land of terrorists.” With the poster, Singh wrote, “Soon both Congress and Pakistan will go amiss.”

The controversial poster comes after Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar received widespread criticism over his comments questioning the account of the victims of the Pahalgam tragedy. This prompted the party to issue a directive asking its members to refrain from making independent statements.

However, before this fire could be stifled, the grand old party ignited fresh flames with the ‘gayab’ poster and a video on Pahalgam.

BJP leader Amit Malviya equated Congress to Pakistan’s PR agents. He said that the Congress leaders are acting like Pakistan’s sleeper cells.

Netizens too lambasted Congress:

Pakistan Minister’s Reaction Adds Fuel To The Fire

Building up on his rebuttal, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted ‘proof’ on how Pakistan and Congress think a like.

Pradeep Bhandari, another Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson, shared Pakistan’s former minister’s reply on Congress, and wrote: “Congress is following orders of Pakistan!”

India has cited “cross-border linkages” to the horrific Pahalgam killings and promised severe punishment to those involved in the attack.