Shocked and embarrassed that India did not cast a vote in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza: Mahatma Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the head of the Congress, voiced her “shock” on Saturday at New Delhi’s decision to abstain from voting on a UN resolution on the Israel-Hamas war. She said that it goes against all India has stood for to witness thousands of men, women, and children in Palestine be slaughtered in quiet.

India abstained from voting on a resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” that was drafted by Jordan and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as unrestricted humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. The resolution was presented to the UN General Assembly on Friday.

The resolution, which called for an urgent, long-lasting, and humanitarian ceasefire that would end hostilities, was approved by the 193-member General Assembly.

Priyanka Gandhi emphasized her argument by using Mahatma Gandhi’s adage that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” in a post on X.

Priyanka Gandhi said, “I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

“The foundation of the constitution that defines our nationhood is the non-violence and truth that our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for,” the speaker said. “These principles are the cornerstone of our country’s founding.”

She went on to say that they stand for the moral bravery of India that inspired its activities as a participant in the global community.

“It goes against everything our country has stood for throughout its life as a nation to refuse to take a stand and watch in silence as every law of humanity is pulverized, 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,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

Following its abstention from a resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, India said that terrorism is a “malignancy” that transcends country boundaries, racial or ethnic boundaries, and that the world should not accept any rationalization of acts of violence.

Along with demanding the immediate, ongoing, adequate, and unfettered supply of basic products and services to citizens across the Gaza Strip, the resolution received 121 votes in favor, 44 abstentions, and 14 votes against.

The growing death toll in Gaza is reportedly at an all-time high in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian war, according to media sources.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is administered by Hamas, the fighting has claimed the lives of almost 7,000 Palestinians. On October 7, Hamas launched their unprecedented onslaught on Israel, killing almost 1,400 people. Over 220 individuals are being kept captive in Gaza by Hamas.

Following it, Israel conducted retaliation attacks that caused a path of death and devastation.