More than the Dravidianist propaganda echoing Pakistan’s narrative , it appears Congress functionaries in Tamil Nadu were more unsettled by the Indian government’s strong retaliation against the brutal terrorist attack that killed 26 innocent Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
One such figure is , who identifies herself as the OBC State Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. Since the news of India’s precision strike gained national attention, she has been vocal online-amplifying counter-narratives and attempting to portray the government’s action as religiously motivated rather than a legitimate act of national defense by a sovereign state in response to terrorism.
Immediately after news of the successful operation broke, Dhivya shifted focus instead of celebrating the retaliation like common citizens, she chose to lecturing the Indian government on peace and morality. In one of her posts, she wrote, “Cowards in suits send others to die so you can feel powerful. It’s not patriotism, it’s pathetic. War kills the poor, the innocent, the voiceless. It’s not your child orphaned, your home destroyed, your life shattered. War isn’t a game, it’s death, trauma and loss. SHAME on every war-monger. #SayNOToWar.”
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Yet what stood out most starkly was her complete silence on the Pahalgam massacre itself. Not a single word condemning the terrorists who targeted unarmed Hindu tourists. The hypocrisy is glaring-quick to shame the nation for defending itself, but unwilling to speak against the barbarity that necessitated the response in the first place.
In another post, she responded mockingly to Israel’s official expression of solidarity with India by commenting, “Color me shocked.”
Her criticism didn’t stop there. She accused the Indian government of religious bias in its military action, despite the targeted nature of the operation against known terrorist camps. She wrote, “#OperationSindoor ? Terrorist attacks carried out by religious extremists are a grave threat to all humanity. But if a government, sworn to uphold a secular constitution and protect 1.46 billion people of diverse faiths, chooses to retaliate in the name of religion, it risks tearing apart the very fabric of our democracy. Retaliatory violence in the name of religion will not bring peace, it will only escalate fear, deepen divides, and perpetuate a cycle of conflict. What we are witnessing is not just a response to terrorism. It is a calculated political move by the BJP to manipulate grief, anger and religious identity for electoral gain. Playing politics with human lives is not only unethical, it is Un-Indian. We, the people of India, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and others stand united in our belief. We don’t want war. We demand conflict resolution. We seek justice rooted in truth, not vengeance. We want peace, not polarization. Let us not allow the politics of fear and hate to define our future. #EndWar#NotInOurName”
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When none of her narratives gained traction, Dhivya Marunthiah finally resorted to attacking the very name of the operation-Operation Sindoor. She labeled it “patriarchal,” revealing just how far she was willing to stretch her criticism. It’s astonishing-and deeply telling-that someone holding a state-level position in a national party cannot even bring themselves to support a government action aimed at neutralizing terrorists.
She wrote, “Sindoor itself is patriarchal. In a society that is slowly shedding this kind of superstitions, it is regressive even dangerous to use state operations to reinforce them. Serves only narrow political goals.”
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In another post she asserted, “#OperationSindoor is nothing but the Ultimate display of patriarchal arrogance.”
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Her bangle breaking and crying didn’t end with her criticism directed against the government; she also attacked media outlets for reporting on the military’s success. When Thanthi TV published a video with the headline, “70 heads rolled on Pakistani soil – The precision operation that shocked the world,” she responded angrily, “WTF! What kind of reporting is this?”
What was most troubling was how Dhivya Marunthiah’s repeated anti-India statements seemed less about principles and more about signaling loyalty to her party by opposing the ruling government at any cost. Her comments reflect not just political rivalry, but a disturbing willingness to undermine national unity in moments of crisis, simply to appear aligned against the BJP.
This became even clearer when DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai posted a unifying message, who praised the secular and inclusive spirit of India by highlighting Muslim and Hindu officers in the Armed Forces, Dhivya remarked, “Rather than standing with Modi, it’s better we keep silence.”
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At a time when the nation is unified in mourning and determined to respond to terrorism with resolve, Dhivya Marunthiah’s comments not only appear out of touch but dangerously divisive. Her refusal to condemn terrorism, while choosing to vilify India’s sovereign right to defend itself, raises serious questions about her priorities and the values she represents.
If even state-level Congress leaders cannot support national efforts against terrorism, especially in moments of crisis, it points to a deeper ideological crisis within the party’s Tamil Nadu unit.