On Monday, the Congress leadership instructed its members not to make any public comments that differ from the party’s official stance on last week’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. This gag order was issued after some Congress leaders made controversial statements about the attack, leading to backlash and criticism. During an all-party meeting held two days after the attack, Congress expressed its support for any action the central government takes in response to the terrorist incident. 

Sources notified India Today TV that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi were unhappy with leaders making unsanctioned remarks, which created confusion about the party's official stance.

In a post on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh clarified that comments from individual leaders should not be seen as the party's position. He emphasised that only statements by Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, or authorised AICC office-bearers reflect the official stand of the Indian National Congress. "Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the INC's views. There should be absolutely no doubt whatsoever at this most sensitive of times that the CWC resolution, the views expressed by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi and the views of authorised AICC office-bearers ALONE represent the position of the INC," Jairam Ramesh expressed on the post.

The Congress party is taking the situation seriously and is expected to release an official statement to clarify its stance. According to sources, leaders who made statements that did not align with the party’s position have been reprimanded internally. The party leadership has emphasised that future statements regarding the Pahalgam issue must fully align with Congress's official position.

On April 22, a group of five to six terrorists linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a faction of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), took 26 lives, mainly tourists, in Pahalgam. The attackers reportedly asked their victims about their religious affiliation, sparking widespread anger and adding to the already tense India-Pakistan relations.

Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah stirred controversy when he stated there was no requirement for a war with Pakistan and urged the central government to focus on strengthening the country's security system. "There is no need for war; stringent measures should be taken. The security system needs to be tightened. We are not in favour of war. There should be peace, people should have security, and the central government should take security measures...," he conveyed. Later in the day, the Chief Minister clarified that his earlier statement had been misinterpreted and said that if necessary, India would have no choice but to go to war with Pakistan. 

At the same time, Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Waddetiwar stirred controversy by questioning the statements made by the families of the victims, who had claimed that the terrorists had asked them about religion before the killings. "The government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They (the government) are saying that terrorists killed people after asking them (about their religion). Do terrorists have time for all this?... Some people say that this did not happen. Terrorists have no caste or religion. Identify those responsible and take appropriate action. This is the sentiment of the country," Waddetiwar expressed.