A political storm has erupted in Belagavi, Karnataka, over the alleged misrepresentation of the Indian map displayed on posters by the Congress party. These posters were intended to commemorate the centenary of the 1924 Congress session, but they have instead ignited accusations of negligence and political appeasement. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), have accused Congress of omitting key regions of Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit and Aksai Chin, which are integral to India’s sovereignty.

Background: The Centenary Celebrations

The Congress party organized celebrations across Belagavi to mark 100 years since the historic 1924 session of the Indian National Congress. The event’s intent was to celebrate India’s legacy and honor its freedom fighters. However, the posters designed for this occasion became a flashpoint for criticism when political opponents noticed the absence of Gilgit and Aksai Chin in the map depicted.

These regions, currently under Pakistan and Chinese control, respectively, are considered non-negotiable parts of India’s territory by the Indian government. The omission has led to a fierce backlash from the BJP and JD(S), who accused the Congress of disrespecting India’s sovereignty.

BJP’s Strong Response

The BJP has not held back in its criticism, accusing the Congress of indulging in “vote bank politics.” In a strongly worded post on social media platform ‘X,’ the national unit of the BJP alleged that the Congress is prioritizing its political gains over national interests.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in particular, faced allegations from the BJP of being soft on China and Pakistan. The post described the Congress’ actions as an attempt to “break the nation” and accused the party of pandering to specific communities at the cost of national pride.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal took the matter a step further by demanding legal action against the Congress. He invoked the National Honour Act and IPC Section 74, which penalize the publication of incorrect maps. Yatnal called for a case to be registered against the organizers of the centenary celebrations, labeling the incident as a deliberate affront to India’s territorial integrity.

JD(S) Joins the Fray

The JD(S) has also expressed outrage over the controversy. Describing the omission of Kashmir from the map as a “criminal act,” the JD(S) held Congress’ Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directly responsible.

In a statement, the party alleged that the Congress’ actions were part of a broader strategy of appeasement politics, aimed at garnering votes at the expense of national interests. The JD(S) has demanded swift action to rectify what they perceive as a betrayal of India’s unity.

Congress’ Defense

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress unit president, has sought to downplay the controversy. In a measured response, he acknowledged the possibility of a mistake and assured that the posters would be removed if any errors were found.

“Some leaders might have made some mistake. We are removing everything,” Shivakumar stated, urging the opposition not to “make a fuss over a small issue.” Despite his assurance, the controversy has continued to dominate political discourse in Karnataka.

The 1924 Congress session in Belagavi holds significant historical importance as it was the only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. The event symbolized India’s fight for independence and highlighted the unity of the nation. However, the current controversy threatens to overshadow these historical celebrations, bringing political fault lines to the forefront.

Broader Implications

This controversy highlights the ongoing debate between nationalism and political strategy in Indian politics. While the BJP has positioned itself as a defender of India’s territorial integrity, the Congress finds itself on the defensive, struggling to justify the oversight.

The incident comes at a critical time for the Congress party, as it aims to rebuild its image and expand its voter base in Karnataka. However, the controversy risks alienating voters who prioritize nationalism and sovereignty. Public opinion appears divided, with many citizens expressing outrage over the alleged omission, while others view the incident as an unintentional error. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for both criticism and defense of the Congress party.

The controversy over the alleged misrepresentation of the Indian map in Congress’ posters has sparked a heated political debate in Karnataka. While the BJP and JD(S) have used the incident to accuse Congress of undermining national integrity, the Congress maintains that the omission was an unintended mistake. As the nation watches this unfolding drama, the incident serves as a reminder of the sensitive nature of India’s territorial issues and the political ramifications of any missteps. Only time will tell how this controversy impacts the Congress party’s standing in Karnataka and beyond.