In a Facebook post, Venugopal said, "When women and children, who are innocent and helpless, are caught in the crossfire, how can India stand by without a strong stance against it? The Indian government's stance on the Israel-Palestine issue is highly disappointing."
Venugopal also said India's approach to the conflict used to be different from the very beginning.On Wednesday, taking to X, the Prime Minister had said civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict were a matter of serious concern and those involved should be held responsible.
"India used to extend support to the Palestinian cause and advocate for their rights," Venugopal posted on Facebook in Malayalam."However, when it comes to any aggression or counter-aggression, India used to strongly condemn it. Unfortunately, the current Indian stance is not sufficient to put an end to the war."
Further, the Rajya Sabha MP urged the government to express its views on the matter with dignity and respect, just as in the past.
He said that regardless of whether it is Israel or Palestine, both countries are bound by international humanitarian laws.
Venugopal said the atrocities committed by Hamas against women, children and vulnerable civilians in Israel cannot be justified under any circumstances. But it is also essential to scrutinise the historical background that led them to such circumstances, he added.
The Congress MP said it is surprising that some countries are supporting the "brutal attack that Israel is unleashing to completely wipe out Gaza" and urged India not to stand behind it.
Venugopal said the horrific consequences of this war demand immediate attention from the international community, and India must lead efforts to bring peace and provide relief to the affected.
"This is the mature and dignified stance that the world expects from India", he added.
On Sunday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said India and the country's former ministers always stood for the cause of Palestine.
Pawar's statement came while he was addressing a gathering of workers in Mumbai.
"We want peace in the world. Now, there is a war going on between Israel and Palestine. The entire land is of Palestine and Israel encroached on their land. That place, land and houses, everything was of Palestine and later Israel took over it. Israel is an outsider and the land is originally of Palestine. After encroachment, Israel was formed," Pawar said.
