On 2026-10-16, Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore made a remark during a public event that India would support Pakistan if the United States and Pakistan went to war. The comment drew attention and triggered a political row, with opposition parties questioning the BJP’s stance and demanding clarification.
Congress and AAP leaders criticized the statement. Congress described the remark as troubling and called for the BJP to clarify its stance on national security. AAP also voiced concern, labeling the comment as inappropriate and questioning whether it reflected the party’s official view.
Later on the same day, Madan Rathore stepped forward to clarify his words. He said that his statement had been taken out of context and that it was actually about a cricket match between India and Pakistan, not about any real-world conflict. He urged listeners to hear the full remark, saying that doing so would make the meaning clear. According to his clarification, the comment was meant to describe how fans might support their team in a sporting contest, not to signal any geopolitical alignment.
Amid the debate, a quote attributed to Madan Rawat surfaced: "अगर अमेरिका और पाकिस्तान के बीच युद्ध हो गया, तो भारत पड़ोसी होने के नाते पाक के साथ खड़ा रहेगा.
In his clarification, Rathore also stressed the importance of patriotism. He explained that the correct way to celebrate a cricket match is to cheer for one’s own side while respecting the opponent, and that any expression of support should remain within the spirit of the game. He sought to distance the remark from any suggestion of political allegiance, framing it instead as a comment on sporting enthusiasm.
This parallel remark amplified the controversy, as it appeared that more than one BJP figure had expressed the same idea, prompting further scrutiny from opposition parties.
Amid the debate, a quote attributed to Madan Rawat surfaced: "अगर अमेरिका और पाकिस्तान के बीच युद्ध हो गया, तो भारत पड़ोसी होने के नाते पाक के साथ खड़ा रहेगा." This statement echoed the controversial line and was presented as a supportive view. In contrast, Sharma Mohd offered a sharply critical perspective, declaring that "Pakistan is a terrorist country. It kills our soldiers and civilians. The BJP's love for that country has surfaced again." These opposing voices illustrated the split in public reaction, with some defending the remark as a matter of regional solidarity and others condemning it as a betrayal of national interests.
While defending himself, Rathore added that someone had engineered the controversy to damage him. He said, while clarifying his statements, that "someone had done this to damage me." This claim suggested that he viewed the backlash as a deliberate attack rather than a genuine misunderstanding of his words.
As of 2026-10-16, the episode remains a talking point in Rajasthan politics. The BJP has not issued an official retraction, relying instead on Rathore’s clarification that the remark concerned a cricket match. Opposition parties continue to call for greater caution in public statements, especially those that could be interpreted as touching on foreign policy or national security. The episode highlights how quickly a comment, even if intended as a sports analogy, can become a flashpoint in a charged political environment.