BENGALURU: The Karnataka unit of Congress faced significant backlash Wednesday after a tweet advocating peace coincided with ‘Operation Sindoor’, which targeted nine terrorist camps across the border with Pakistan.On Wednesday, the state Congress unit’s social media account posted a Mahatma Gandhi quote which read: “Peace is the most powerful weapon of mankind.”The post generated substantial criticism and ridicule, as it appeared to contradict India’s firm stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.Opposition leader R Ashoka of BJP condemned Congress, highlighting what he said was a disconnect between the party’s national and state units. “Nationally, Congress says one thing while its Karnataka unit says another. Which side is the Congress party on, chanting mantras of peace during times of war? This is an insult to the nation,” said Ashoka.Following widespread criticism, KPCC president DK Shivakumar, also deputy chief minister, reportedly instructed the party’s social media team to remove the post. Party sources say the peace message was part of regular posts forthe state unit’s Gandhi Bharatha programme.Asked about the post, CM Siddaramaiah refused to comment, saying. “I don’t want to comment on all these things. At this point in time, we must support the decision taken by Indian armed forces.”‘Part of Gandhi event’A party official explained: “The tweet was part of theGandhi Bharatha programme, which marks the centenary year celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi presiding over the Congress Working Committee (CEC) meeting in Dec 1924 at Belagavi.”The situation prompted swift corrective action at the national level, with Jairam Ramesh, AICC general secretary for communications and Karnataka Rajya Sabha MP, saying: “India’s commitment to eliminating all sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK has necessarily to be uncompromising and always be anchored in the supreme national interest. This is a time for unity and solidarity. Right from the night of April 22, the INC has been categorically stating that the govt will have our fullest support in the nation’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The INC is standing firmly with our armed forces.”