A political row erupted after Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore’s remarks on a hypothetical war between the United States and Pakistan. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale reacted strongly to the comments, which suggested that India would stand with Pakistan if such a conflict broke out. After the video went viral, opposition parties Congress and AAP criticised his remarks. He clarified that his comments were made in the context of an India-Pakistan cricket match.
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What Madan Rathore mentioned about Pakistan?
From speaking at a public gathering in a Press show in Jaipur, Rathore has been quoted as saying, “if USA-Pakistan war breaks out, so I will be with Pakistan as we are near neighbours. (sic) The clip of his statement was widely circulated on social media on October 15, 2026, leading to political reaction and discussion.
Why did the remark trigger political backlash?
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said Rathore’s statement was not right and asked if the BJP leadership agreed with it. The AAP also tweeted the video, asking the Modi-led government to respond to BJP spokesperson’s assertion and counter their claim on nationalism. Rathore’s assertion of supporting Pakistan in the event of a conflict with the US was also criticised.
How did Madan Rathore respond to the controversy?
Rathore responded to the comments, claiming his words had been manipulated and misrepresented. “I was talking about an India-Pakistan cricket match, and I was talking about people who cheer for India when India loses,” he said. “So the clip I posted on my Twitter feed did not give the full context of my comments”.
What Happens Next?
The row has brought Rathore’s comments into political line as opposition parties have questioned the BJP. The clarification led the attention to the context in which the speech was given and the manner in which the clip was published. Additional political responses may follow.
