A sharp political controversy erupted on Wednesday after senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan made remarks questioning aspects of Operation Sindoor — India’s military action in response to the April terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. Chavan claimed India was “completely defeated” on the first day of the operation, remarks that ignited criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allies.
Giriraj Singh Condemns the Remarks
Union Minister Giriraj Singh strongly condemned Chavan’s statement, saying “no one has the right to insult the velour of the Armed Forces.” He stressed that such remarks undermine the sacrifices and bravery of soldiers and are harmful to national interest. Singh added that questioning military conduct in a manner that appears dismissive of armed forces’ courage is unacceptable.
BJP Hits Back at Congress
BJP leaders, including national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, accused the Congress party of repeatedly disrespecting the Indian Army. The party alleged that statements like Chavan’s reflect a deeper antipathy toward the armed forces and questioned why senior Congress leadership has not acted against such remarks. BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal also condemned the comments, calling them an insult to the nation and the military.
Chavan Stands by His Statement
Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, refused to apologies for his comments when asked by reporters, asserting his constitutional right to question government actions and military operations. He defended his stance on the operation’s conduct and rationale, insisting that scrutiny of defence policies is within democratic norms.
Congress Seeks to Distance Itself
In response to the backlash, some Congress leaders sought to distance the party from Chavan’s remarks, reaffirming support for the armed forces. They emphasized pride in India’s military and attempted to clarify the party’s position amid the growing political dispute.