PUCL writes open letter to PM Modi, 'criticises ‘silence’ on US–Israel Attacks on Iran

By A Representative 

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Government of India to condemn what it described as the “illegal and unprovoked bombing of Iran” by the United States and Israel that began on February 28, 2026.

In the letter signed by PUCL president Kavita Srivastava and general secretary V. Suresh, the civil liberties organisation expressed “shock” at the attacks and criticised the Indian government for what it termed an “unconstitutional silence” on the conflict. The organisation said the bombing had caused large-scale civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure in Iran and alleged that it included the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

PUCL said it was “disturbing” that the Indian government had not issued an immediate condemnation of the military action by the United States and Israel. According to the organisation, India’s silence on such actions undermines its historical role as a leading voice of the Global South and its commitment to international law.

The letter also referred to the reported torpedoing of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena by the United States near Sri Lankan waters on March 4, claiming the ship had been returning from the Milan multinational naval exercise held in Visakhapatnam. PUCL noted that Indian President Droupadi Murmu had participated in the event and said the government had not condemned the attack despite Iranian naval personnel having attended the exercise as guests.

The organisation further criticised the government’s foreign policy stance, saying India’s silence on international conflicts raised concerns about its commitment to constitutional principles and international law. It cited Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, which calls upon the state to promote international peace and maintain respect for international law.

PUCL also referred to Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Israel and his remarks expressing solidarity with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that such statements had raised questions about India’s position on the bombing of Iran and the broader conflict in the region.

Calling the bombing of Iran an act without legal or moral justification, the organisation urged the Indian government to “unequivocally condemn” the military action by the United States and Israel, as well as the attack on the Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. It also appealed to India to play a role in promoting dialogue and preventing further escalation of the conflict, warning that the situation carried the risk of a wider and potentially nuclear confrontation.

The letter said India should return to its constitutional commitment to promoting peace and work towards diplomatic efforts to end the war.