'Shocking': Asaduddin Owaisi, Priyanka Gandhi Tear Into Modi Govt As India Abstains From UN Resolution On Gaza

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi today blasted the Narendra Modi government over India's decision to abstain from voting on a resolution in the United National General Assembly (UNGA) that called for a humanitarian truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Both the leaders termed the Modi government's decision as shocking. Owaisi said that the Gaza issue is humanitarian and not political.

"It is SHOCKING that the Narendra Modi government abstained on the UN resolution for a humanitarian truce & protection of civilian lives. 7028 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza. Over 3000 of them are children & 1700 women. At least 45% of housing in Gaza has been destroyed. Over 1.4m have been displaced. Even in peacetime, Gazans face a complete blockade and have to depend on humanitarian aid. Things have only worsened since the war began," said Owaisi.

The AIMIM chief further said that this is a 'HUMANITARIAN issue, not a political one'. "In abstaining on the resolution, India stands alone in the Global South, in South Asia & in BRICS. Why did India abstain on an issue concerning civilian life? After sending aid to Gaza, why abstain? What happened to 'one world one family' & 'vishwaguru'?" said Owaisi.

Owaisi further said that while PM Modi condemned the Hamas attack, he couldn’t agree to a UN resolution seeking a truce. Owaisi said that India's foreign policy is inconsistent given PM Modi spoke to the Jordanian King a few days ago but abstained on a resolution that was introduced by Jordan.

It is SHOCKING that @narendramodi govt abstained on the @UN resolution for a humanitarian truce & protection of civilian lives.

7028 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza. Over 3000 of them are children & 1700 women. At least 45% of housing in Gaza has been destroyed. Over… pic.twitter.com/kfg6ayoeZv

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 28, 2023

On the other hand, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that she is 'shocked and ashamed' that India abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza. She said that India was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which freedom fighters laid down their lives. She added that these principles represent the moral courage of India that guided its actions as a member of the international community. 

"To refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverised, food, water, medical supplies, communication and power is cut off to millions of people and thousands of men, women and children in Palestine are being annihilated goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation," said the Congress leader.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 28, 2023

While India abstained from voting for a non-binding Jordanian resolution at the UN, it voted in favour of a Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis seeking to condemn the 'terrorist attacks by Hamas.' The Candian resolution failed to pass at the UNGA as it did not achieve a two-thirds majority. The resolution drafted by Jordan called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip but did not condemn terror organisation Hamas.