‘Wear Sindoor in Modi’s name?’ Bhagwant Mann’s dig triggers BJP fury; Party seeks resignation over ‘one nation, one husband’ remark

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is facing sharp criticism from the BJP after making a controversial statement about Operation Sindoor during a recent press conference.

Mann, while responding to reports that the BJP might distribute sindoor (vermilion) to households, mockingly asked, “Will you wear sindoor in Modi’s name? Is this the ‘One Nation, One Husband’ scheme?”

This statement triggered strong reactions from BJP leaders, who accused Mann of being insensitive and disrespectful.

BJP hits back

BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal posted a video of Mann’s comment on X and criticised him for mocking a serious military operation. He clarified that Operation Sindoor had nothing to do with any campaign to distribute sindoor. Instead, it was a response to terrorists targeting Hindus, identifying women using sindoor.

“Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! This operation was about protecting Indian lives. He has mocked the Army, insulted Veer Naris (wives of martyred soldiers), and turned a sacred symbol into a joke,” Baliawal said.

He demanded that Mann resign and apologise to the country.

BJP national spokesperson joins in

BJP’s national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also condemned Mann’s words. “Shameful! Bhagwant Mann ridicules Operation Sindoor. If this is not anti-India in spirit, then what is?” he said.

What is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May in response to a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April that killed 26 people. India struck back at terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killing over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Following the strikes, Pakistan responded with shelling and drone attacks along the LoC and border areas. India retaliated by targeting Pakistan’s defence systems, airbases, and communication centres. A ceasefire understanding was announced on 10 May.

Inputs from agencies