New Delhi: Several Opposition leaders have hit out at the Narendra Modi government on Saturday (October 28) for abstaining from voting on a UN resolution calling for an ‘immediate truce’ in the Israel-Hamas conflict.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra expressed shock at India’s decision to abstain from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, “Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives, these principles form the basis of the constitution that defines our nationhood. They represent the moral courage of India that guided its actions as a member of the international community.”“To refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverised, food, water, medical supplies, communication and power is cut off to millions of people and thousands of men, women and children in Palestine are being annihilated goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation,” she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” ~ Mahatma GandhiI am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down…— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 28, 2023K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary, too, commented on the issue saying that “only a heartless and fascist regime would abstain” [from supporting a ceasefire in such situations].“When the innocent citizens of Gaza are being pounded with air strikes and ground invasions, it was India’s moral duty to support a ceasefire,” he wrote on X.“Only a heartless and fascist regime would abstain. Truly ashamed of our vote at the UN,” he said.“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” – Desmond TutuWhen the innocent citizens of Gaza are being pounded with air strikes and ground invasions, it was India’s moral duty to support a ceasefire.Only a heartless and fascist…— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) October 28, 2023Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad Yadav also hit out at the government saying, in Hindi, “This is the first time that India has adopted a careless attitude instead of being at the forefront on the issue of humanity, ceasefire and world peace. The Union government should stop playing with India’s foreign policy.”यह पहली बार है जब भारत ने मानवता, युद्ध विराम और विश्व शांति के विषय पर सबसे आगे रहने के बजाय ढुलमुल रवैया अपनाया। केंद्र सरकार भारत की विदेश नीति के साथ खिलवाड़ बंद करें।मानवाधिकारों के प्रति संवेदनशील नीति हमारी विदेश नीति का ध्वज होना चाहिए। #Gaza— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) October 28, 2023While Opposition leaders have spoken on the issue individually, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-CPI have issued a joint statement, calling for an immediate ceasefire.“India’s abstention on a resolution that was overwhelmingly adopted shows the extent to which Indian foreign policy is being shaped by being a subordinate ally of US imperialism and the Modi government’s actions for consolidating the US-Israel-India nexus. This negates India’s longstanding support to the Palestinian cause,” read the joint statement, titled ‘Stop this Genocidal Aggression in Gaza.It was signed by CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary D. Raja.“Respecting the overwhelming mandate of the UN General Assembly there must be an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations must re-energize itself to implement the mandate of the Security Council for a 2-State solution with pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of State of Palestine,” it added.The UN resolution also emphasised the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law and urged the unconditional release of all captive civilians as well as the unhindered supply of essential provisions to Gaza.The UN resolution garnered 120 affirmative votes, while only 14 countries, including Israel, the United States, Hungary and five Pacific island states, voted against. India was among the 45 countries – most from the Western military bloc – that chose to abstain in the vote at an emergency session of the UNGA in New York on Friday afternoon.