By L S Herdenia
BHOPAL: The BJP organised an impressive show of strength in Bhopal on May 31 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The event, christened Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan (Ahilyabai Women Empowerment Conference), was supposed to celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, an 18th-century Maratha woman ruler of the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. She was known for her administrative skills and courage and the event was meant to project her as symbol of women empowerment.
However, the all-women event turned into another round of chest-thumping by Prime Minister Modi for the success of Operation Sindoor. More than 1.5 lakh women from different parts of the state attended the session, most wearing Sindoori (vermillion-coloured) sarees.
Interestingly, on the same day, at Jabalpur, 300 km from Bhopal, top state Congress leaders gathered to question the Central Government on the Indo-Pak conflict.
Most of the women attending the event were waving tricolours and patriotic songs praising the military and slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ were in the air. When Modi, during his speech, referred to Operation Sindoor, the crowd broke into a rapturous applause shouting ‘Modi, Modi’.
A majority of the banners and placards were also centred on Operation Sindoor. Some of them read, “Sena ke samman mein, nari Shakti maidan mein (Women power honours army)”, “Saugandh hai sindoor ki ye desh nahi jhukne doongeen (I swear by vermillion that I would not allow this nation to bow down before anyone)” and “Dhanyavaad Modiji (Thank you Modiji).” Others thanked the Indian armed forces and declared that the people are with them. ‘Jai Hind, Jai Hind Ki Sena’ was yet another slogan painted on the placards.
Modi devoted a major part of his speech to Operation Sindoor, warning of “gola for goli’ (bomb for bullet)” response. He emphasised that during the worship of Shakti, we offer sindoor, which today has become a symbol of India’s valour.
“In Pahalgam, terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians, but they also attacked our culture. They tried to divide our society. These terrorists have challenged the women’s power of India — a challenge that has now turned into a nightmare for the terrorists and their handlers,” he said.
“Operation Sindoor is India’s largest and most successful counter-terrorism operation. Our forces destroyed terrorist hideouts in places that even Pakistan’s army had never imagined. This operation made it loud and clear that proxy wars through terrorism will no longer be tolerated. Now, we will strike even inside enemy territory, and those who support terrorists will also pay a heavy price,” PM Modi asserted. Further, the Prime Minister asserted that Operation Sindoor has also become a symbol of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’.
At Congress rally ‘Jai Hind’ rally at Jabalpur, PM’s and BJP’s claims were questioned. Former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel addressed the rally.
Baghel asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain why there was no security for tourists in Pahalgam, where terrorists attacked them on April 22, and did the government agree to a “ceasefire” with Pakistan under pressure from the United States. Baghel accused the BJP of politicising Operation Sindoor and asserted the country’s armed forces do not belong to any party.
“Our armed forces belong to the whole country and its people, and not just to a political party or government. We all are extremely proud of the bravery and valour of our Army,” Baghel said, asserting that doubts are being raised about the BJP government’s decisions and policies. He also lauded former PM Indira Gandhi for emphatically defeating Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The former Chhattisgarh CM said Modi should apologise for objectionable comments made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah and state deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda following Operation Sindoor.
The PM must set an example by ensuring they are sacked from the MP government, Baghel said. Shah made an objectionable remark about army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during his speech at a public function at Mhow near Indore on May 12. An FIR has been registered in the matter and both the Supreme Court and MP High Court have severely admonished Shah.
On May 16, Devda claimed armed forces and soldiers of the country were “natmastak” (bowing down with their heads at the feet) in front of PM Modi for giving a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan.
Speaking at the rally, Digvijaya Singh said those who played no role in India’s freedom struggle and remained slaves of the British are today claiming that armed forces are bowing at the feet of PM Modi. (IPA Service)
