'Obedient servant, complies with orders: Rahul slams PM over U.S. statements

Published 14 June 2026 · politics

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (June 14, 2026) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the U.S.' statements after three Indian sailors were

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (June 14, 2026) lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the U.S.' statements after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks, saying "our compromised PM" listens like an "obedient servant" and complies with the "orders". Gandhi also said that "a compromised PM" will not defend the nation's honour because he is beholden to those who insult the country. His remarks come a day after the U.S. said it conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who spoke with him on Friday (June 12, 2026) to lodge a strong protest against the death of Indian nationals in U.S. attacks on ships off the coast of Oman. In a post in Hindi on X, Mr. Gandhi said, "Just days after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks there is neither regret nor apology. On the contrary, the U.S. continues to issue orders." "Read their words: 'Obey U.S. military orders immediately.' No violation 'will be tolerated'," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. "A sovereign nation would never tolerate such language. But our compromised PM? Silent. He listens like an obedient servant and complies with the orders," Mr. Gandhi said.

"A compromised PM will not defend the nation's honor because he is beholden to those who insult the country," he said. In another post in Hindi, Mr. Gandhi referred to the death of an Indian national due to medical complications aboard a vessel currently docked at the Duqm Port in Oman. "Under a compromised PM, being an Indian means facing a wretched plight. Foreign powers kill our citizens. Our government meekly obeys orders like an obedient servant and our citizens are left to rot," he said. "Bring this Indian home. Now," Mr. Gandhi said, tagging a post quoting the Indian captain of MT Celestial as saying that the body of his second officer is decomposing. The Indian national died due to medical complications aboard a vessel currently docked at the Duqm Port in Oman, according to the Indian embassy in Muscat. In a post on X on Saturday (June 13, 2026), the Indian mission identified the deceased as Nishanth Uirthanathan, who was on board MT Celestial when he passed away. "Indian national Mr. Nishanth Uirthanathan passed away due to medical complications," it said, adding his mortal remains are currently on the vessel at the Duqm Port. The embassy said it has been in continuous contact with the ship management company and is coordinating with all concerned stakeholders.