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'Irresponsible, insulting': Row over Mallikarjun Kharge's 'small war' remark on Operation Sindoor

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
20th May, 2025 22:26 IST
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday sparked a political firestorm after describing India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan as “Chhutput Yudh” (small war).

The remark, made during a rally in Karnataka's Hosapete, to mark the Congress government's two year anniversary, drew immediate backlash from the BJP and allied leaders, who called it an insult to the armed forces.

“More or less the Chhutput Yudh that has happened, or our conflict against Pakistan. Pakistan always wants to trouble India, as they are weak, they have tried to attack us taking China's support. Our country will never tolerate such things. We are united,” Kharge said during his address, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He added that despite differences, the country stands together in the face of threats from its neighbours.


Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed, Kharge claimed that the Prime Minister had cancelled a visit to the region due to intelligence warnings but failed to alert civilians. “If you had told them, 26 lives would have been saved,” he said.

Rahul, his leaders have become poster boys in Pak: BJP

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra condemned Kharge’s statement on X, saying, “@kharge ji, calling India’s bold military strike a ‘CHHUTPUT YUDH’ is not just irresponsible, it’s deeply insulting to the unmatched courage of our armed forces. This operation marks the strongest and most calculated military response to Pakistan since the Kargil War.” He accused the Congress of having a weak record on national security and choosing “silence over strength” during past terror attacks.

“No action by our brave forces is ever ‘Chhutput’. Every mission carries the weight of national honour and the blood of our martyrs. Do not belittle our soldiers’ sacrifice,” Vijayendra added.


Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde also weighed in, accusing the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. “When 26/11 attacks happened, not even a word was uttered by them... This time, India showed intolerance against Pakistan... These people are speaking the language of Pakistan,” he said.

Union minister Prahlad Joshi echoed similar sentiments, calling Kharge’s language “shocking and unacceptable.” He alleged that such remarks reflect Congress’s “careless attitude” and questioned their sympathies. “They are showing sympathy for a country that backs and sponsors terrorism. This clearly reflects Congress’s dangerous thinking and misplaced priorities,” Joshi said.


BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra escalated the attack by accusing Congress of undermining the military’s achievements and giving “oxygen to Pakistan.” Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent demands for proof of the strikes, Patra said, “Despite this, you are asking for proof of the courage of the Armed Forces. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi and his leaders have become poster boys in Pakistan.”

"We have been presenting digital proofs since day one. Pakistanis themselves have shown evidence. Despite this, you are asking for proof of the courage of the Armed Forces. This is the reason Rahul Gandhi and his leaders have become poster boys in Pakistan. At the time of Operation Sindoor, Pak DGMO had shown your (Rahul Gandhi) videos...You do the work of giving oxygen to Pakistan. Today we all know why Hafiz (terrorist Hafiz Saeed) likes Rahul," Patra told ANI.


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