Ex-Chief Minister of Punjab, Channi, Sparks Controversy Over 2019 Surgical Strikes; BJP Responds Sharply, Labeling Him "Anti-National"
Unfiltered, Uncensored Take:
The blunt Charanjit Singh Channi, Congress MP from Punjab, has sparked a furious backlash with his recent remarks about the 2019 Indian armed forces' surgical strike following the Pulwama attack. Here's what went down:
Speaking in Hindi, Channi boldly declared that no one witnessed the surgical strike anywhere. He rambled, "If a bomb drops in our country, would no one notice? They say we carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan. Nothing happened; no one saw the surgical strikes anywhere, no one knew about it."
His fiery statement came after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) released a post on social media platform X, standing with the 26 families who lost loved ones in the Pahalgam terror attack. The CWC added that this wasn't a time for politics, expressing, "We must rise above partisan divides and send out a clear message that India stands united, and won't be shattered."
The Congress party urged the Central government to act decisively, strategically, and diplomatically to isolate and penalize Pakistan for their persistent export of terror into Indian territory. They emphasized, "The masterminds and perpetrators of this cowardly attack must face the full consequences of their actions."
Channi's fiery rhetoric didn't sit right with the BJP. MP Sambit Patra pointed out that the press conference was strategically planned to coincide with the CWC meeting where Mallikarjun Kharge would discuss resolutions, while Channi held a parallel conference.
Patra shared his two cents, "After the proposals were passed in the meeting, the Congress party held another press conference. Led by the former Chief Minister of Punjab and current MP from a border state, Charanjit Singh Channi, this conference questioned the 2019 surgical strike by the Indian Air Force on Pakistan."
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa was equally critical of Channi, likening his sentiment to the "old mindset" of the Gandhi family and Rahul Gandhi. He claimed, "Once again, the Congress party has questioned our armed forces. Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi has expressed doubts about the surgical strike – a reflection of the same old mindset of the Gandhi family and Rahul Gandhi, who repeatedly cast doubts on our Army and Air Force, alleging they lie and trust Pakistan's narrative."
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla went a step further, suggesting that Congress should be renamed to "Anti-National Congress." He argued, "To day, the Congress party should be renamed from INC to ANC, which stands for Anti-National Congress. Their only identity is to continuously badmouth the Army, saying it lies, while they trust Pakistan's narrative. In all-party meetings, they say they support the nation and the Army, but their actions betray national interest."
This controversy emerges against the backdrop of recent terrorist activities in Kashmir, with the BJP attempting to highlight their "tough on security" stance contrasted with Congress’s perceived skepticism of military operations. The exchange between the parties underscores ongoing tensions regarding national security narratives post-Pulwama.
(Note: Congress Party's direct defense of Channi isn't mentioned in the available sources, with Channi himself reiterating his demand for "proof" of the strikes, asserting he "hasn’t seen where exactly the surgical strike took place" and that "nobody came to know"[1][3][5]. The BJP launched a fierce counterattack, accusing Congress of being the "Pakistan Working Committee" (PWC) and claiming it "provides oxygen to Pakistani terrorists"[5]. Their remarks were framed as an "insult to armed forces," emphasizing that Channi’s skepticism undermines military credibility[4][5]. Reactions from other parties like AAP, TMC, or regional players aren’t mentioned in available sources.) [1][4][5]
- The controversy surrounding Charanjit Singh Channi's comments about the 2019 surgical strike has led to isolation of the Congress party, with BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla suggesting renaming it to "Anti-National Congress."
- While the Congress Working Committee expressed support for the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, they also urged the Central government to act decisively against Pakistan's export of terror.
- In response to Channi's remarks doubting the 2019 surgical strike by the Indian Air Force, BJP's Sambit Patra asserted that the Congress party's questioning of the armed forces reflects an old mindset of the Gandhi family and Rahul Gandhi.
- The ongoing debate between the BJP and Congress concerning national security narratives post-Pulwama is happening within the context of recent terrorist activities in Kashmir.
- Amidst this political fervor, policy and legislation discussions, general news, and crime and justice issues continue to unfold, illustrating the complex landscape of Indian politics.
