Saurabh Bharadwaj accuses Modi Govt of 'betraying' India's interest in "PoK"

New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of betraying India by agreeing to a ceasefire, thereby missing a crucial opportunity to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK).
Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj said, "Our armed forces risked their lives to defeat the enemy, and Pakistan was scared and worried. This was the time to reclaim PoK. By agreeing to a ceasefire, you have betrayed the country."
He referred to previous statements made by BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, who had suggested that PojK could have been brought under Indian control if the ceasefire had been delayed during key military operations.
Bharadwaj criticised the BJP for repeating the same "mistake" that, in his view, cost India a chance to secure PoJK. He said, "From the past many years, both the BJP and the RSS have many times said, even Amit Shah said that if Bharat would have delayed the ceasefire, then PoK would have belonged to us. The mistake which happened then, was repeated again by the BJP."
In a show of protest, AAP workers staged a demonstration near the Modi Flour Mills in Okhla, New Delhi, criticising the Modi government for mishandling the situation with Pakistan regarding PoJK. Protesters held a large red banner reading, "PoK ka chhodda mauka, Modi ka desh ka dhokha" (Opportunity lost on taking PoJK, Modi's betrayal of the nation), accusing the government of failing to negotiate for the return of PoJK during the ceasefire agreement.
The demonstration came after rising tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Operation Sindoor led to the deaths of over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and attempted drone attacks along the border regions. In response, India launched a coordinated attack, damaging radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.
On May 10, both countries announced a cessation of hostilities.
Earlier, AAP leader Sanjay Singh had raised questions about the government's actions regarding Operation Sindoor, the ceasefire, and US President Donald Trump's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir. He posted on X:
"PM Modi ji, tell me at 8 pm tonight: Where are the brutal terrorists who destroyed the vermilion of the sisters in Pahalgam? When our brave army could have captured PoK, separated Balochistan from Pakistan, and completely destroyed 21 terrorist hideouts, why did you declare a ceasefire under Trump's pressure?"
Singh also attacked the mediation offer by President Trump on the Kashmir issue.
"Trump says he will 'increase trade with both countries.' Modi ji, have you agreed to this? Modi Ji, for the last 78 years, we have had the same line that we will not accept mediation by any third country on the Pakistan issue. Then, how and why did you facilitate Trump's entry?" (ANI)