Chandigarh (National Times): A fresh political row has erupted in Punjab after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned the success of Operation Sindoor, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accuse him of siding with Pakistan and undermining India’s armed forces.
The controversy deepened a day after Mann made a jibe at the BJP with his “One Nation, One Husband” remark over the reported plan to distribute sindoor (vermilion) as part of the post-Operation Sindoor outreach.
Mann Takes Aim at Centre’s Claims
Speaking to the media, Mann said, “It’s obvious why the BJP government withdrew the plan to send ‘sindoor’ to every house. When you win a war, your victory is evident, it doesn’t need advertisement or marketing.”
He further questioned the government’s narrative around the operation, which was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Mann referenced a recent remark made by India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during a security dialogue in Singapore, where the CDS reportedly said, “It’s not about how many jets were shot down, but why they were shot down.”
Mann commented, “They themselves are saying our jets were shot down. I only raised questions and they accuse me of standing with Pakistan? This is absurd.”
BJP Responds with Fierce Criticism
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu lashed out at the Punjab CM, stating, “By undermining a successful operation against Pakistan-based terrorists, Bhagwant Mann is echoing the language of our enemies. He should be ashamed.” Bittu accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader of “mocking the sacrifices of soldiers” and “standing with Pakistan in spirit.” Other BJP leaders also joined the chorus, calling Mann’s comments “disrespectful to national security efforts.”
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched by Indian Armed Forces in retaliation to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. In the days that followed, Indian forces reportedly destroyed multiple terror camps across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistan, killing over 100 terrorists belonging to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
India also claimed it neutralised Pakistani radar and air defence systems in cross-border precision strikes.
