Cong seeks MP deputy CM's sacking for ‘objectionable' remarks, BJP says remarks distorted

The Print

16-05-2025

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, 'The constant insult of our army by BJP leaders is extremely shameful and unfortunate. First a minister of Madhya Pradesh made an indecent comment on women soldiers and now their Deputy Chief Minister has grossly insulted the army.' Devda is the second minister from the state to have sparked a row with comments linked to Operation Sindoor after Vijay Shah, who had to apologise after his remarks linking the religion of terrorists behind the Pahalham strike with that of Col Sofiya Qureshi triggered an outrage.
Speaking at the event, Devda allegedly said, 'Hum yashasvi pradhan mantri ji ko dhanyavad dena chahenge. Aur pura desh, desh ki woh sena, woh sainik, unke charno mein nat mastak hain. (We would like to thank the prime minister. The entire country, the country's army and soldiers… bow at the feet…' The Congress hit out at Devda, claiming the BJP leader said that the entire Indian Army and brave soldiers are bowing at the feet of Narendra Modi.
New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of 'insulting' security forces as it cited Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda's comments at an event to slam the ruling party, a charge rejected by the leader as a 'distortion' of his remarks.
The people of the entire country are proud of the valour of the army but the BJP people are 'insulting' the army and instead of taking action against these leaders, the BJP is trying its best to save them, Gandhi alleged.
'What message does BJP want to give to our army and people of the country by doing this,' she asked.
Devda, later, said his statement was 'distorted' by the opposition party, and he meant to say the people have bowed before the security forces after seeing their valour during the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya accused the Congress of deliberately distorting the statement of Devda in an attempt to create sensation and an atmosphere of lies.
He added, 'Operation Sindoor has shaken both Pakistan and Congress. Deora is also being targeted because he comes from the Dalit community, and the Congress is unable to accept this.' At a press conference in the national capital, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate played a video of Devda's remarks and asked whether anyone can imagine any Indian ever saying something as 'blasphemous and brazenly shameless' as that.
'The Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, says that the entire Indian Army and brave soldiers are bowing at the feet of Narendra Modi,' she claimed.
'The entire country is grateful for what our armed forces have done. They have consistently taught a lesson to our enemies. Our armed forces have divided Pakistan into two. We have always given a befitting reply in 1965, 1971, 1999, and even after the Pahalgam terror strike. Our armed forces brought Pakistan to its knees by consistently destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan,' she said.
Such a statement is a brazen violation of what this country feels for our armed forces, which is absolute respect, Shrinate said.
'We honour their valour, their supreme sacrifice, and our heads bow as far as our armed forces are concerned. They don't just protect our borders but also protect our territorial integrity. They are the ones because of whom our people live safely and work the way we do. They guard us from the glaciers of Siachen to the deserts of Rajasthan. Such a statement is an insult that no Indian is willing to take,' she said.
'We will not take this statement lying down, and we demand that PM Modi immediately sack the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, for the brazen remark he has made. If he fails to do so, we will be forced to believe that this was said with his permission and has his patronage,' she said.
Hitting back, Malviya said doing politics on the valour and bravery of the armed forces exposes the abhorrent and petty mindset of the Congress.
Vijay Shah, another minister from Madhya Pradesh, insulted one of India's most decorated soldiers, Col Qureshi, and yet the BJP neither questioned him nor took any action, she alleged.
'Both the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh governments remained mute spectators until the Jabalpur High Court ordered an FIR to be filed – an FIR that has since been reduced to a mockery. The High Court has taken strong cognisance of the matter, clearly stating that the charges listed in the FIR would not stand the test of law and has directed that the FIR be amended without fear or favour,' Shrinate said.
This is the reality of how the BJP treats our armed forces and soldiers – those who display valour, courage, and make the ultimate sacrifice, she said.
'The BJP had absolutely no role in the freedom movement and made no sacrifices,' Shrinate said.
'Modi ji once claimed that a corporate or a trader in India is braver than Indian soldiers. Forget avenging the supreme sacrifice of our 20 bravehearts in Galwan – we have continued doing business with China. Our trade deficit with China now stands at 100 billion dollars,' she said.
The Congress on Wednesday had asked why Modi has not yet sacked Shah for his objectionable remarks on Col Qureshi and said the 'atrocious' comments reflect the BJP's 'diseased mindset'.
The opposition party slammed the BJP after a video went viral in which Shah is purportedly heard making objectionable remarks, saying, ''Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi (those who wiped sindoor (vermilion) off our daughters' forehead… we sent their sister to teach them a lesson)'.' PTI ASK KR ZMN
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.