Latest news with #RamChanderJangra
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Asking why Pahalgam women survivors didn't fight back demeans all women
The import of what BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra said, that the women who lost loved ones in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack didn't show bravery or fighting spirit, has not fully sunk in the country's consciousness, or it would have evoked louder protests. These women were not the 'Veeranganas' they were expected to be, Jangra alleged. 'Veerangana ka bhaav nahin tha, josh nahin tha, jazba nahin tha, dil nahin tha,' Jangra said. He wished they had been like Ahilyabai Holkar, the queen of Malwa, who ruled wisely in the 18th century and also led her army into battle. Jangra obviously expected these unsuspecting women to suddenly fight like Holkar or Rani Laxmibai, both of whom had commandeered their armies. But these women were in Pahalgam, peacefully holidaying, some of them newly married and on their honeymoon, when the terrorists suddenly struck and killed the men after ascertaining their religion. Jangra, a Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, believes the tourists should have fought back and repulsed the terrorists, who were armed with the latest weapons and had presumably done the recce of the area for several days before choosing the site and their unsuspecting targets. Going by the argument that Jangra has advanced, should every Indian woman get gun training so as to be bravehearts – for you don't know when you will need it to protect yourself and your family! What Jangra does not talk about is that it is the Indian State's fundamental duty to provide safety and security to all its citizens, including women. Nor did Jangra exhort the government's intelligence machinery or the security forces to be more vigilant – and efficient. Instead, he chose to point out the fundamental duties of the women present. This then is the question many women are asking today: What do you, Mr Jangra, know about the courage that these women displayed in the face of a barbaric attack at Pahalgam – and will be called upon to display for the rest of their lives? Do you know the pain — and bravery– it takes to live with the trauma of seeing your husband, son or brother shot point blank, to watch them bleed to death in front of your eyes, and have no recourse available to prevent their death? What is more, by blaming the women for the death of their menfolk, Jangra was diminishing the magnitude of the senseless killings on April 22, the sponsorship of terror by Pakistan, and the use of terror as a weapon to settle scores in this day and age – which the Indian government has been emphasising. Jangra made his remarks at a time that seven high-level, multi-party delegations are out mobilising global opinion against terrorism and its backers. Any shift of focus away from the fact that the terror attack originated in Pakistan is likely to dilute the impact of the government's own carefully crafted initiative. There are those who believe that Jangra's words are only a diversionary tactic. With the Opposition stepping up its demand that the government answer questions thrown up by Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, and call a special session of Parliament to do so, is Jangra trying to divert attention from the 'main muddas (issues)'? His words also reveal a mindset holding a deep prejudice against women — that ultimately it is they who are at fault for everything that goes wrong around them and must own the final responsibility. This mindset has no place in the India of 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged leaders at the NDA meeting on Sunday to not 'speak out of turn' about Operation Sindoor. Not long ago, it was a minister in the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, Vijay Shah, who referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as a 'sister' of Pakistan. The two women from the armed forces, Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had been fielded by the government to play the lead role in informing the nation about Operation Sindoor, to the pride of many in the country. Had timely action been taken against Shah – he was even rebuked by the Supreme Court for his communal comments – Jangra may have thought twice before speaking out the way he did. Over the years, the PM has expressed his commitment to women's empowerment through the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme, to women-led development, and to the safety and security of the last woman in the country as her due. That doesn't square with a BJP MP getting away with accusing the widows of Pahalgam of cowardice, and at a time when teams of MPs, non-MPs and security experts have fanned out to world capitals in a major government outreach against terror, of which India was a victim. It compelled the PM to speak powerfully about Operation Sindoor , of 'hot sindoor' coursing through his veins – as a commitment to avenge the death of 26 innocent men, and to bring their families some semblance of justice. But then, words which humiliate the widows of Pahalgam surely call for action which goes beyond a mere warning – and sends a salutary 'enough is enough' signal to all? And to the likes of Ram Chander Jangra, one can only say – please do not accentuate the pain the widows of Pahalgam are already undergoing, that demeans the women of India.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress seeks apology for BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra's Pahalgam take
BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday objected to BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra's remarks that tourists should have put up a fight against terrorists in Pahalgam, and demanded BJP sack him and PM Narendra Modi apologise. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on X said Jangra's "shameful statement has once again exposed the petty mentality of RSS-BJP". "Narendra Modi ji, you say you have sindoor in your veins... If so, then you should sack these foul-mouthed leaders of yours for the respect of women," he said.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
At NDA meet, PM Modi warns leaders against 'speaking out of turn' amid recent row on Operation Sindoor remarks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during National Democratic Alliance Chief Ministers' Conclave, in New Delhi. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: At the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged leaders to refrain from speaking out of turn, as the BJP faces backlash over off-the-cuff remarks made by two party members in the wake of Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terrorist attack, news agency PTI reported citing sources. The BJP found itself stuck in a political quagmire after Madhya Pradesh MP Vijay Shah, in a public meeting, said: "Modi ji sent their own sister (Col Sophia Qureshi) to take revenge". The minister was referring to India's offensive against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Later on Friday, the minister, who is facing an SC-ordered inquiry for his comments on Col Sofiya Qureshi, issued a video apology, calling his remarks a 'linguistic mistake'. Five days before the May 28 SC hearing, when the SIT probe is to be submitted, Shah released a 45-second video on X saying he did not intend to 'offend any community', and has "sincerely apologised to the entire Indian Army , sister Colonel Sofiya and all the countrymen". This time, the apology was with folded hands and without the phrase: 'if anyone is hurt'. On Monday, SC had dismissed his first apology as 'crocodile tears'. The MP minister has not been seen in public since his May 11 remarks triggered nationwide outrage. While the party remained mum on the issue, another loose comment from Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra replenished the opposition's political ammunition to train guns at the BJP. Ram Chander Jangra, who is an Upper House MP from Haryana, speaking at an event, said the women lacked the courage and spirit of warrior women, "and that is why the death toll was high". He further claimed that the victims died "with folded hands" and suggested that if they had received training under central government schemes, they might have been able to resist the attackers and reduce the number of casualties.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP MP insulted every woman, showed party's true colours: TMC
1 2 3 Kolkata: Trinamool Congress on Sunday reacted sharply to BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra, who said those who had lost their husbands in the Pahalgam terror attack lacked the spirit of warrior women. At an event in Bhiwani to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, the Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana said the tourists should have put up a fight against the terrorists, and the women should have acted like 'veerangna' (warrior women). State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said: "If this Rajya Sabha MP was in the same position with his family in Pahalgam, what would he or his family have done? Would he have done anything different? Let us put this differently. What were the central agencies doing when the Pahalgam attack took place? What did they do to stop it? Where are the four perpetrators who attacked innocent people?" Questioning BJP's claims on Centre upholding women's dignity, Bhattacharya said: "The face of retaliation was led by two women, and the operation was named Operation Sindoor. I am astonished at how the BJP brass is disrespecting Sindoor. We would caution this MP, do not disrespect women." State industries and women and child development minister Shashi Panja told reporters: "The comments by the BJP MP have insulted women, outraged every woman, caused their anguish and shown the party's true colours." She added: "We are waiting to see what action BJP will take against a person like this, who has shown disrespect to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Expressing outrage, TMC said in a post on X: "How dare BJP MP @rcjangrabjp say the women in Pahalgam lacked bravery? 26 people lost their lives, and he blames the women? This isn't just insensitive, it's vile and inhuman." The party added: "@BJP4India has mastered the art of degrading women. Misogyny isn't a bug in their ideology, it's the core."
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Congress Criticizes BJP Over Operation Sindoor Credit Claims; Alka Lamba's Slip Sparks Controversy
New Delhi: The Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to give undue credit for the success of Operation Sindoor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sidelining the role of India's defence forces. The party also demanded an apology from the Prime Minister and BJP president, alleging that senior party members have made repeated remarks that disrespect the military and families of martyrs. At a press conference in New Delhi, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba showcased video clips of statements made by BJP leaders including Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, minister Vijay Shah, and MP Ram Chander Jangra. She claimed these comments undermined the sacrifices and valor of Indian soldiers. One of the videos featured BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra suggesting that the wives of civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack lacked courage. According to Lamba, this statement reflects a dismissive attitude toward the victims and their families. Lamba also highlighted the online trolling faced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, allegedly by BJP supporters, after he presented the government's official position on the issue. She added that Himanshi Narwal, the widow of martyr Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, was similarly abused online after she called for peace. While pointing out that legal proceedings are underway—some on the orders of the judiciary—Lamba questioned the BJP's moral position in defending such remarks made by its leaders. During her address, Lamba mistakenly referred to Operation Sindoor as Operation Blue Star—a historical reference to a 1984 military action. She later clarified that the slip was being used by BJP leaders to distract from the real issues she was raising. Responding to the incident, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the comment and accused Congress of attempting to undermine the armed forces. Lamba renewed her party's call for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and demanded a special Parliament session to discuss Operation Sindoor. She questioned the government's rationale for sending opposition MPs abroad to explain India's stance while avoiding a discussion in Parliament. She also referred to concerns from residents along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, who felt overlooked in the Prime Minister's recent addresses. In contrast, she noted, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the region twice to express solidarity with victims of terrorism and cross-border shelling. Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian armed forces, targeted multiple terror hideouts in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The operation marked a significant counter-terrorism initiative across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
