Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda has sparked a heated political controversy following his remarks regarding the Indian Army during a civil defense volunteers’ training program in Jabalpur. Devda claimed that “the entire nation, including the Indian Army and soldiers, is bowing at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” a statement that has provoked significant backlash from political adversaries and members of civil society.
During the event, Devda expressed admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s decisive response to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, asserting that not only the country but the military as well is honoring Modi for his strong position against terrorism. He called for applause, emphasizing the importance of the Prime Minister’s leadership in bolstering India’s military resolve.
Devda drew attention to the details of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where he alleged that terrorists specifically targeted tourists based on their religion. He condemned the brutal actions of the attackers, stating that they singled out individuals based on religious identity, executing men in front of their families. He asserted that such atrocities necessitate a robust response from the nation, pledging unwavering efforts to eliminate all terrorists and their supporters.
In response, opposition leaders voiced their outrage over Devda’s comments. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra labeled the remarks “extremely shameful and unfortunate.” In a post on social media platform X, she criticized the handling of such statements, noting the earlier controversy involving state minister Vijay Shah, who faced scrutiny for derogatory comments regarding Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a respected officer in the Indian Army. Vadra expressed concern that the BJP was failing to uphold respect for the armed forces, questioning the message this sends to both military personnel and the public.
As criticism mounts, questions surround the BJP’s internal discipline and the messaging of its leaders, especially amid two incidents of this nature occurring in rapid succession. Although the BJP has yet to release an official statement addressing Devda’s remarks, analysts caution that such rhetoric could lead to the politicization of the armed forces, potentially alienating constituents who hold military service in high regard.
This controversy arises at a delicate moment, as the nation is still mourning the victims of the recent attack while engaging in critical discussions about national security policy following Operation Sindoor.
