NEW DELHI: The BJP’s central leaders were touched to the quick again on Tuesday by demands for proof that ‘surgical strikes’ were indeed carried out by the Indian Army against Pakistan-supported terror launch pads across the Line of Conrol [LoC] in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir [PoK] on Sept. 29.
After Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s clever dig on Monday that evidence of the strike may kindly be furnished to scotch international skepticism, it was Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam who went a step further and called the strikes "fake".
"Every Indian wants surgical strikes against Pakistan but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by BJP. Politics over national interest [sic]," Nirupam tweeted.
The tweet provoked stinging criticism from the BJP and his own party hastened to "totally dissociate" itself from his remarks.
Union minister Uma Bharti hit back at Nirupam and suggested the Congress leader might consider taking Pakistani citizenship. "Those leaders who say that if Pakistan is demanding evidence about the surgical strike they should be given the evidence, such people should take the citizenship of Pakistan," Bharti told reporters in Pune.
In New Delhi, Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said the party has taken serious note of Nirupam's tweet and distanced the party from it. "The Indian National Congress disagrees completely with the statement of Sanjay Nirupam," Surjewala said, adding that the party has "full faith" in the Indian armed forces.
Another Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad trained his guns at Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister, who “lauded” the Prime Minister for ordering the decisive action, but also added the rider that evidence of the action should be furnished to convince naysayers internationally.
“If he believes in the exemplary valor of the armed forces, then why is Kejriwal getting swayed by Pakistan to ask for proof of the operation?” asked Prasad.
It was “very unfortunate” that Kejriwal’s insinuation made headlines in Pakistan, Prasad added. “If the Pakistani media is saying something, why is an Indian chief minister being influenced?”
As for Chidambaram’s remarks, also seeking proof of the surgical action, the minister asked whether Congress president Sonia Gandhi - who had herself issued a statement congratulating the Prime Minister Narendra Modi - subscribed to the skepticism.
“Now that Chidambaram is suggesting that it’s up to the government to provide proof, Soniaji should clarify if his statement is the official line of the Congress,” asked Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Here are the top reactions:
Uma Bharti’s retort
"Those leaders who say that if Pakistan is demanding evidence about the surgical strike they should be given the evidence, such people should take the citizenship of Pakistan."
Randeep Surjewala’s retreat
"The Indian National Congress disagrees completely with the statement of Sanjay Nirupam. The Congress has full faith in the Indian armed forces.”
Kejriwal’s ‘praise’
I have supported the Prime Minister, applauded the Army. I only said Pakistan is spreading false propaganda in the world that surgical strikes did not happen. We all believe that surgical strikes took place.”
Ravi Shankar Prasad’s reaction
“If he believes in the exemplary valour of the armed forces, then why is Kejriwal getting swayed by Pakistan to ask for proof of the operation?”
Anna Hazare’s criticism
"I condemn it [Kejriwal’s statement]. This concerns the country, its people. We must trust the Army's words. We should not doubt what the Army has said."