Rahul Challenges Modi to Counter Trump's Jet Downing Claim

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Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over President Donald Trump’s assertion that five Indian fighter jets were shot down during clashes with Pakistan. Gandhi challenged the Prime Minister in Parliament: “If Modi has the courage, he should tell this house that Trump was lying—that there was no ceasefire, and no Indian jets were lost.” He further added, “If Modi has the bravery of Indira Gandhi, he should come forward and tell the truth.” These comments followed Trump’s confirmation that five Indian aircraft were downed, along with multiple claims from Trump about mediating ceasefires between India and Pakistan. The issue has sparked heated discussions in the Lok Sabha around “Operation Sandor,” with opposition members accusing the government of misleading the nation and the military.

Supporting the opposition’s claims, Congress MP Amarinder Singh presented photos he said showed wreckage of a downed Rafale fighter jet. Singh stated he visited the crash site near Bhisiana Air Force Station in Punjab, where he saw the tail section of a jet marked BS001, a Rafale aircraft. Singh reported that the incident resulted in one death and nine injuries, criticizing the government for deploying the air force with limited information. He accused Air Marshal A.K. Bharti of misleading the public by claiming an “unknown aircraft” had crashed, despite admitting privately that a loss had occurred. The crash happened during Pakistan Air Force retaliatory strikes in early May that resulted in the downing of six Indian aircraft, including Rafales, which was later confirmed by French authorities and President Trump.

Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of AIMIM, expressed moral opposition to India’s upcoming cricket match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup scheduled for September 14. “My conscience doesn’t permit me to watch this match,” Owaisi said, questioning why cricket matches continue while diplomatic ties in trade, aviation, and water-sharing are suspended. He remarked, “We are blocking 80% of Pakistan’s water, claiming that blood and water don’t flow together—so how can cricket keep going?”