Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has firmly refused to issue an apology for his contentious statements regarding India's military action, Operation Sindoor. On Wednesday, Chavan asserted that the Constitution of India grants him the right to ask questions, making an apology out of the question.
Chavan Stands Firm on Controversial Claims
When pressed by reporters on whether he would express regret for his comments, Chavan responded defiantly. "Why will I apologise? It is out of the question. The Constitution gives me the right to ask questions," the Congress leader stated. This stance comes directly after his remarks in Pune sparked a significant political controversy.
On Tuesday, Chavan made bold claims about the initial phase of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7. He alleged that India faced a severe setback on the first day of the operation. "On the first day (of Operation Sindoor), we were completely defeated. In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on the 7th, we were fully defeated, whether people accept it or not," Chavan told reporters.
He further elaborated on his claims regarding the Air Force's role. "Indian aircraft were shot down. The Air Force was completely grounded, and not a single aircraft flew. If any aircraft had taken off from Gwalior, Bathinda or Sirsa, there was a high probability of being shot down by Pakistan, which is why the Air Force was fully grounded," he alleged.
Questions Raised on Military Structure
Chavan extended his criticism by questioning the very structure of the Indian military in the context of modern warfare. He claimed that Operation Sindoor involved only aerial and missile engagements without significant ground movement. "Recently, we saw during Operation Sindoor, there was not even a one-kilometre movement of the military... Whatever happened over two or three days was only an aerial war and missile warfare," he said.
This observation led him to pose a provocative question about military manpower. "In the future too, wars will be fought in the same way. In such a situation, do we really need to maintain an army of 12 lakh soldiers, or can we make they do some other work?" Chavan questioned, referring to the 1.2 million-strong Indian Army.
BJP Launches Fierce Counterattack
The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted swiftly and strongly to Chavan's statements, accusing the Congress party of a pattern of disrespect towards the armed forces. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla led the charge, calling the remarks "shocking" and an attack on the Air Force and the military's valour.
"Insulting the army has become the hallmark of the Congress party... This is not just Prithviraj Chavan's statement; Rahul Gandhi has also made similar statements," Poonawalla alleged. He connected the comments directly to the Congress leadership's mindset, stating, "All these statements reflect Rahul Gandhi's mindset, which is why Rahul Gandhi or the Congress party does not take any action against such leaders... These statements reveal their anti-army mentality."
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also joined the criticism, issuing a stern rebuke. "No one has the right to insult the valour of the Armed Forces. Those who do so can never think of the nation’s interest....It has become Congress’s habit to insult the Armed Forces," Singh stated.
Background of Operation Sindoor
The controversy revolves around Operation Sindoor, a military action launched by India on May 7. The operation targeted terror infrastructure located deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It was conducted as a direct retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic death of 26 civilians.
The political fallout from Chavan's remarks highlights the ongoing and sensitive debate surrounding national security discourse in India. It underscores the fine line between political accountability and statements perceived as undermining military morale and national security achievements.
