Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram criticized the Centre’s silence on homegrown terrorism following the Delhi bomb blast. He highlighted the arrest of educated professionals in the blast, reiterating his long-held concern about Indian citizens becoming terrorists. Chidambaram’s remarks echo his past warnings during the Operation Sindoor debate, which drew criticism from the BJP. P Chidambaram (ANI image) NEW DELHI: Former home minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday slammed the Centre over its “discreet silence” on what he described as the growing threat of homegrown terrorism.His statement comes two days after the Delhi bomb blast near Lal Quila Metro station that killed 12 people and injured several others.How Kashmir’s Jaish Posters Led To Delhi’s Red Fort Blast And Exposed A Nationwide Terror NetworkIn a post on X addressing the recent Delhi blast and the arrests of educated professionals allegedly involved in the plot, Chidambaram reiterated his long-held concern over the rise of “homegrown terrorism” in India.Chidambaram wrote: “I have maintained before and after the Pahalgam terror attack that there are two kinds of terrorists — foreign-trained infiltrated terrorists and home-grown terrorists. I said so in Parliament during the debate on Operation Sindoor. I was mocked and trolled for the reference to home-grown terrorists. However, I must say that the government observed a discreet silence because the government knows that there are home-grown terrorists too. The point of this tweet is we should ask ourselves what are the circumstances that turn Indian citizens — even educated persons — into terrorists.”His remarks come amid revelations that several suspects have been arrested in the Delhi blast case. This includes doctors Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Shaheen Shahid and Umar Un Nabi who were allegedly part of a Faridabad-based terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Chidambaram’s earlier warning during Operation Sindoor debateChidambaram’s latest remarks mirror his warning in Parliament during the Operation Sindoor debate. The counter-terror operation was launched after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.During the debate, Chidambaram had questioned the government’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent operation. Raising concerns over the lack of transparency, he asked, “Where are the terrorist attackers? Why have you not apprehended them, or even identified them? A news item had emerged about the arrest of a few people who gave the attackers shelter. What happened to them?”He further questioned the government’s reluctance to disclose details of the probe. “The Government is unwilling to disclose what the NIA has done all these weeks. Have they identified the terrorists, where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that,” Chidambaram said.His statement had sparked a sharp backlash from the BJP benches, with Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the Congress leader of “trying to give a clean chit to Pakistan.”Union home minister went on to detail the evidence gathered by investigating agencies. “NIA had already arrested those who gave them shelter. Those who fed them were detained. When the terrorists’ dead bodies reached Srinagar, they were identified as the three people who carried out the terror attack in Pahalgam. The rifles seized from them matched the FSL reports,” Shah said.Following the backlash, Chidambaram defended himself, accusing critics of distorting his remarks. He wrote on X, “Trolls are of different kinds and use different tools to spread misinformation.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Joint Combat Readiness In Jaisalmer During Exercise ‘Akhand Prahar’Red Fort Blast Had A Bigger Plan: Faridabad Doctor’s January 26 Recces Raise Chilling Questions’R&D Must Be Seen As Investment, Not Expenditure’: DRDO Chief Samir V KamatPenpa Tsering’s ‘No Hanuman’ Remark: Tibet’s Stark Message on Geography, Peace, and SurvivalAfter Spending 16 Years on Death Row, ‘Nithari Killer’ Surinder Koli Set Free by Supreme CourtGujarat: 2 Workers Killed, 20 Injured After Boiler Explosion At Pharma Factory In BharuchDelhi Blast: PM Modi Meets Victims At LNJP Hospital, Promises Swift Action Against Attack CulpritsIndia’s Growth Story Is Built On Scale, Youth, And Resilience, Says World Bank Economist’You Don’t Have Talent in US’: Donald Trump’s Shocking Shift on H-1B Visa Policy DebateHow Kashmir’s Jaish Posters Led To Delhi’s Red Fort Blast And Exposed A Nationwide Terror Network123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Dushman’ to ‘Sangharsh’: Ashutosh Rana’s scariest roles that still haunt usKriti Sanon’s blush pink saree whispers romance!8 Italian concepts that will change your lifeInside the Taj Mahal’s locked chambers: What is the real reason behind the closed doors of the monumentFrom chopping to cleaning: 5 Kitchen basics every child should master early5 foods to combine with pumpkin for effective weight loss7 classic Indian baby names inspired by music and rhythmGastroenterologist explains the earliest signs of nutrient deficiencyJanhvi Kapoor to Rhea Chakraborty: Top celebrity fashion moments to bookmark for the day6 Rahu and Ketu temples in India that every devotee must visit123Hot PicksBihar Election CandidatesBihar Election ConstituenciesBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingBabar AzamActor GovindaMLB Trade RumorsStephen Curry WifeDelhi GRAP 3Michael Willis Cause of DeathDelhi BlastStephen CurryJerry JonesMichael Duarte Cause of Death
NEW DELHI: Former home minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday slammed the Centre over its “discreet silence” on what he described as the growing threat of homegrown terrorism.His statement comes two days after the Delhi bomb blast near Lal Quila Metro station that killed 12 people and injured several others.
In a post on X addressing the recent Delhi blast and the arrests of educated professionals allegedly involved in the plot, Chidambaram reiterated his long-held concern over the rise of “homegrown terrorism” in India.Chidambaram wrote: “I have maintained before and after the Pahalgam terror attack that there are two kinds of terrorists — foreign-trained infiltrated terrorists and home-grown terrorists. I said so in Parliament during the debate on Operation Sindoor. I was mocked and trolled for the reference to home-grown terrorists. However, I must say that the government observed a discreet silence because the government knows that there are home-grown terrorists too. The point of this tweet is we should ask ourselves what are the circumstances that turn Indian citizens — even educated persons — into terrorists.”His remarks come amid revelations that several suspects have been arrested in the Delhi blast case. This includes doctors Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Shaheen Shahid and Umar Un Nabi who were allegedly part of a Faridabad-based terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Chidambaram’s earlier warning during Operation Sindoor debate
Chidambaram’s latest remarks mirror his warning in Parliament during the Operation Sindoor debate. The counter-terror operation was launched after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.During the debate, Chidambaram had questioned the government’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent operation. Raising concerns over the lack of transparency, he asked, “Where are the terrorist attackers? Why have you not apprehended them, or even identified them? A news item had emerged about the arrest of a few people who gave the attackers shelter. What happened to them?”He further questioned the government’s reluctance to disclose details of the probe. “The Government is unwilling to disclose what the NIA has done all these weeks. Have they identified the terrorists, where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that,” Chidambaram said.His statement had sparked a sharp backlash from the BJP benches, with Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the Congress leader of “trying to give a clean chit to Pakistan.”Union home minister went on to detail the evidence gathered by investigating agencies. “NIA had already arrested those who gave them shelter. Those who fed them were detained. When the terrorists’ dead bodies reached Srinagar, they were identified as the three people who carried out the terror attack in Pahalgam. The rifles seized from them matched the FSL reports,” Shah said.Following the backlash, Chidambaram defended himself, accusing critics of distorting his remarks. He wrote on X, “Trolls are of different kinds and use different tools to spread misinformation.”
