Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has triggered a major political storm with his recent remarks concerning "Operation Sindoor," a military response to a terror attack. His comments, interpreted as disrespectful to the armed forces and particularly to the widows of soldiers, have drawn sharp criticism and calls for his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The controversy erupted after Mann questioned the BJP's initiative of distributing sindoor (vermilion), a traditional symbol of marriage for Hindu women, as part of a door-to-door campaign. He sarcastically asked if the BJP was turning sindoor into a joke and mocked the idea of applying it "in Modi's name," further quipping, "What is this? One nation, one husband scheme?".
These remarks were made in the context of "Operation Sindoor," launched on May 7, 2025, as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Following India's strike, Pakistan retaliated with shelling and attempted drone attacks, prompting further Indian action to neutralize Pakistani air defense and communication systems.
The BJP reacted swiftly and strongly to Mann's comments. The party's Chandigarh unit described his words as "vulgarity dressed as leadership" and accused him of mocking "Operation Sindoor." They clarified that the operation was launched in response to terrorists targeting Hindu women, who were identified by their sindoor. The BJP leaders argued that Mann's statement insulted every soldier's widow, every mother of a martyr, and every woman of India, and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the significance of sindoor as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and strength. Several BJP leaders have demanded Mann's immediate resignation and an apology to the nation. BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari called Mann's remarks "shameful" and accused the opposition of disrespecting the armed forces and belittling a successful military operation.
The controversy has escalated beyond the initial remarks, with the BJP accusing Mann of insensitivity and disrespect towards religious sentiments. The party has clarified that "Operation Sindoor" was a response to terrorists targeting Hindus and not a government scheme, countering Mann's sarcastic interpretation.
This is not the first time Bhagwant Mann has been embroiled in controversies. Previously, he faced criticism for his handling of the arrival of deported Indian immigrants from the US, his abrupt exit from a meeting with farmer leaders, and accusations of running a "non-existent" administrative department. His past criticisms of Prime Minister Modi, including calling him "illiterate" and questioning his policies, have also fueled political tensions.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to which Mann belongs, has yet to issue an official statement defending his remarks. The incident has put the AAP on the defensive and has provided ammunition to the BJP to attack the Punjab government.
As of today, June 3, 2025, the controversy surrounding Bhagwant Mann's remarks on "Operation Sindoor" continues to intensify, with the BJP maintaining its demand for his resignation and apology. The incident highlights the deep political divisions and the sensitivity surrounding issues of national security, religious symbols, and respect for the armed forces.
