The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a strong attack against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over his remarks concerning "Operation Sindoor" and questions about the Modi government's handling of national security. The BJP's criticism intensified after Reddy questioned the number of Rafale jets allegedly shot down by Pakistan during the operation and alleged a lack of transparency from the central government regarding the military engagement.
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to target terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This operation followed a terror attack in Pahalgam, in which many Indian citizens were murdered. India has stated that the operation was a focused, measured, and non-escalatory response, with actions taken against nine identified sites linked to terrorist activities.
Reddy's remarks, made during a 'Jai Hind' rally, have been interpreted by the BJP as echoing Pakistani narratives and undermining the morale of the Indian armed forces. The Telangana BJP unit specifically accused Reddy of sounding like Pakistan's spokesperson, alleging that he referred to Pakistan as "Mana Pakistan" ("Our Pakistan"). The BJP criticized the Congress party for consistently opposing national security measures, referencing past instances such as questioning surgical strikes and the Agnipath scheme.
BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya and Sambit Patra, have come forward to condemn Reddy's statements. Patra labeled Congress leaders as "Babbars of Pakistan" and accused them of prioritizing political gains over national security. The BJP has also claimed that Congress leaders are more interested in questioning the Indian military than in acknowledging the damage inflicted on terrorist camps within Pakistan.
Adding fuel to the fire, the BJP took a swipe at Reddy's purported interest in lighter subjects, stating, "Stick to Miss World photo ops, Revanth. National security isn't your stage." This remark suggests that the BJP views Reddy's engagement with national security issues as superficial or opportunistic, especially when juxtaposed with his public appearances at events like the Miss World competition.
Revanth Reddy has also criticized the Modi government for not convening an all-party meeting before announcing a ceasefire with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. He questioned the abrupt halt to military action and the lack of clarity surrounding the operation's impact and potential losses. "How many Rafale jets did we lose? What exactly happened in those four days?" Reddy questioned, faulting the Modi government for not being forthcoming about the details of the operation. He also alleged that Prime Minister Modi has failed to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The BJP's counter-argument centers on the claim that the Congress party is undermining national security by questioning the armed forces and echoing Pakistani propaganda. They point to instances where Congress leaders have allegedly demanded proof of military actions and have been critical of government policies related to defense. The BJP maintains that Operation Sindoor was a successful and necessary response to terrorist activities and that questioning its outcomes serves only to embolden India's enemies.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor itself. While the Indian government has portrayed it as a decisive victory against terrorist infrastructure, the opposition's questions introduce a layer of scrutiny and accountability. The BJP's aggressive response underscores the sensitivity surrounding national security issues and the political capital that can be gained or lost depending on how these matters are framed and debated.
