Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Operation Sindoor remark sparks BJP outrage

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the BJP had turned “sindoor” (vermilion) into a joke and asked if this was a “one nation, one husband” scheme. The BJP reacted strongly to the remark, accusing CM Mann of “mocking” Operation Sindoor. Replying to a question about BJP seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor for the Ludhiana West Assembly byelection, Mann said, “BJP is seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor. These people have turned ‘sindoor’ into a joke. They are sending sindoor to every home. If it comes to your house, will you apply ‘sindoor’ in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's name? Is this a ‘one nation, one husband’ scheme?” Mann said.Mann was briefing the media after a meeting of the council of ministers.Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal posted on X, “Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?”He added, “There is no BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. The name Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion — sindoor was a marker they used to identify women. This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives — But how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that?”BJP nominee Jiwan Gupta is contesting against AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, Congress’s Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parupkar Singh Ghumman for the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll.