Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slammed the BJP for using Operation Sindoor for the election campaign and accused the party of trivialising a sacred symbol, The Telegraph reported.
Speaking ahead of the Ludhiana bypoll in the state, Mann questioned BJP using the name for its campaign. He said that the saffron party is seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor, turning the sacred symbol of ‘Sindoor’ into a joke. He said that the party is sending sindoor to every home and wondered if anyone will apply it in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name.
“BJP is seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor. These people have turned 'sindoor' into a joke. They are sending sindoor to every home. Will you now apply 'sindoor' in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's name? Is this a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?” The Telegraph quoted the Aam Aadmi Party CM of Punjab.
However, the BJP condemned the comment. The party’s Chandigarh unit accused Mann of mocking a counter-terrorism operation by India and disrespecting Hindu women, widows of soldiers, and the Indian Army.
In a statement, the party unit said, “Bhagwant Mann just mocked Operation Sindoor, asking: ‘Will you wear sindoor in Modi’s name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?’ This isn’t satire. This is vulgarity dressed as leadership.”
BJP Punjab accused Mann of crossing the line in an X post which read, “You haven’t insulted BJP, Mr. Mann — You’ve insulted every soldier’s widow, every grieving wife, and the spirit of Bharat. Bhagwant Mann must RESIGN immediately and APOLOGISE to the entire nation.”
The party said, “Operation Sindoor was launched after Hindu women were targeted by terrorists, identified by their sindoor. It was about justice for the innocent, not a joke.”