Recent reports have surfaced alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was planning to distribute 'sindoor' (vermilion) to women as part of the Narendra Modi government's anniversary celebrations. However, the BJP has vehemently denied these claims, labeling the news as "fake." This denial comes amidst heated exchanges between the BJP and opposition parties, particularly West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, regarding the alleged politicization of "Operation Sindoor."

According to multiple sources, the controversy began when media reports suggested that the BJP was preparing a door-to-door campaign to distribute sindoor to women, commencing on June 9th, coinciding with the anniversary of Prime Minister Modi's third term oath-taking. This initiative was purportedly linked to celebrating the success of "Operation Sindoor," the Indian military's response to a recent terror attack.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, sharply criticized the alleged move. Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak condemned it as a "shield" to hide the Modi government's "political and diplomatic failure," accusing the BJP of exploiting the bravery of the armed forces for political gain. Mamata Banerjee also weighed in, questioning the appropriateness of such a campaign and making personal remarks about Prime Minister Modi, which drew strong condemnation from the BJP.

In response, the BJP has refuted the reports as baseless and politically motivated. BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra dismissed the claims as "fake news" and accused the opposition of attempting to undermine India's military action. He also criticized Mamata Banerjee's remarks as inappropriate and unbecoming of a political leader. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, echoed this sentiment, slamming the West Bengal Chief Minister for using a fabricated story for political purposes.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian government's nodal agency for disseminating information, has also played a role in addressing the claims. While specific PIB fact-checks directly addressing the sindoor distribution claim were not found, the PIB has been actively debunking misinformation and false narratives related to "Operation Sindoor" in general. This includes countering misleading claims on social media and in the mainstream media, particularly those originating from Pakistani sources.

The denial of the sindoor distribution plan comes as the BJP prepares for a month-long outreach program to celebrate its achievements over the past 11 years. While the party has not officially disclosed all the details, it has stated that the program will involve "padyatras" (foot marches) by BJP leaders, including Union ministers and MPs, to highlight key accomplishments such as "Operation Sindoor" and the government's decision on caste census.

The controversy surrounding the alleged sindoor distribution highlights the intense political climate in India and the sensitivity surrounding issues of national security and religious symbols. While the BJP has firmly denied the reports, the incident has sparked a broader debate about the politicization of military operations and the use of cultural symbols for political gain.