Congress to hold 'Jai Hind Sabhas' from May 20-30, raise questions on Trump's ceasefire claims

New Delhi: Bengaluru and Delhi are among 15 cities where Congress will hold ‘Jai Hind Sabhas’ between May 20 and 30 to raise "questions" on security lapses, the Modi government's handling of national security and its silence on the involvement of the US in national security matters, including ceasefire announcement in the midst of ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Besides Delhi and Bengaluru, the programme will be held in Barmer (Rajasthan), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Haldwani (Uttarakhand), Patna (Bihar), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Pune (Maharashtra), Goa, Kochi (Kerala), Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal), Hyderabad (Telangana), Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and Pathankot (Punjab).

The decision to hold the 'Jai Hindi Sabhas' was taken at a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) members on Wednesday, which was attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretaries KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and Mukul Wasnik as well as Treasurer Ajay Maken among others.

"Indian National Congress will hold 'Jai Hind Sabhas' across India to salute the supreme valour and success of our Armed Forces. We also must raise serious questions on security lapses, the Government's handling of national security, and its silence on the concerning involvement of the US in our national security matters," Venugopal posted on 'X'.

He said the programme, which also comes against the backdrop of BJP's 'Tiranga Yatra' to hail 'Operation Sindoor', will involve army veterans, party leaders and the general public.

Congress has questioned the "abrupt end" to India's retaliatory action in Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, saying it has led to "speculation and concerns" over internationalisation of Kashmir and hyphenation of India with Pakistan.

On Wednesday, Trinamool Congress Chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced "patriotic rallies" on May 17 and 18 across West Bengal to show solidarity with soldiers and pay respects to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation. The Trinamool will also hold similar rallies in Assam and Tripura on May 17 and Goa on May 19.