S.U. Venkatesan, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Lok Sabha MP from Madurai, has openly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on multiple fronts, from foreign policy and national security to parliamentary ethics.
Speaking in the national capital this week, Venkatesan seized on recent reports of attacks near the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage circuit, one of Hinduism’s holiest sites accusing the Centre of failing to protect sacred Indian terrain. “The BJP is unable to safeguard Hindu holy land,” Venkatesan declared at a press briefing shortly after raising questions in Parliament about security arrangements and risk mitigation for Indian pilgrims undertaking the years-old spiritual journey. He asserted that the government’s response to the incident was inadequate and did not reflect the seriousness the matter deserved.
Turning to broader concerns, the MP did not spare his sharpest criticism for the government’s foreign policy, particularly India’s growing strategic partnership with the United States. In pointed remarks that quickly gained traction on social media and regional news platforms, Venkatesan questioned whether New Delhi had effectively “subleased India’s administration to the United States,” a phrase he used to underline his belief that domestic decision-making was being unduly influenced by foreign interests. “When sovereign decisions begin to appear as if they are routed through external influence,” Venkatesan said, “our nation’s autonomy itself is at stake.”
The BJP, however, dismissed such assertions as unfounded and politically motivated. A senior party spokesperson called the allegations “baseless theatrics” aimed at stoking unnecessary distrust among citizens, adding that diplomatic cooperation with the United States is conducted in India’s national interest and does not undermine sovereignty.
Venkatesan’s barrage of criticism also touched on parliamentary conduct and party discipline. Following the suspension of certain Congress MPs from the Lok Sabha for alleged unruly behaviour during proceedings, the Madurai MP publicly condemned the action but also called for constructive opposition that respects institutional norms. “While accountability in the House is necessary,” he said, “it is equally critical for the government to engage with dissent in ways that strengthen our democratic processes.”
The wider political reaction has been mixed. Opposition parties, including the Congress and regional allies, have echoed Venkatesan’s concerns about diplomatic autonomy and parliamentary rights, albeit in varying political tones. Meanwhile, the BJP and government allies have characterised the MP’s statements as election-year sloganeering, emphasizing that national security, diplomatic strategy and legislative discipline remain under the purview of constitutional processes, not populist critique.
Venkatesan’s assertive interventions reflect broader tensions in India’s political landscape this year, as debates over national identity, foreign alliances and parliamentary norms continue to shape the national conversation ahead of key electoral cycles.
