'Not sorry': Congress's Prithviraj Chavan defiant on Operation Sindoor remark
What's the story
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has refused to apologize for his controversial statement that India was "defeated" on the first day of Operation Sindooron. Speaking at an event, the Congress leader claimed the Indian Air Force was "completely grounded." "In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on the 7th, we were fully defeated," he said. Defending the remarks despite backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said he will not say sorry, as he hasn't said anything wrong.
Political backlash
BJP leaders criticize Chavan's remarks
"There is no need... I did not make any wrong comment," Chavan said. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Chavan's comments, accusing the Congress of insulting the army. He also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for not acting against such statements, saying, "Insulting the Army has become the hallmark of the Congress... this is not just Chavan's statement." Union Minister Giriraj Singh echoed Poonawalla's sentiment, saying "No one has the right to insult the valor of our Armed Forces."
Internal response
Congress distances itself from Chavan's remarks
In light of the controversy, the Congress has distanced itself from Chavan's remarks. Sukhdeo Bhagat, a Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand, said "Only Prithviraj can reveal his sources... but we are proud of our army." Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari also praised the Indian Army as a "world-conquering force," while subtly criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi by stating that it achieved this "under the political leadership of Indira Gandhi."
Military operation
Operation Sindoor: India's response to terror attack
Operation Sindoor was India's retaliation to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. The operation destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Although Pakistan launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Indian targets, they were mostly intercepted by India's missile defense system with little damage inflicted. Pakistan has claimed to have shot down six Indian military aircraft, including Rafales. However, these claims have been dismissed as propaganda by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.