NEW DELHI: Praising ‘Maryada Purushottama’ Ram at a Ramlila function here, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar taking a pot-shot on politicians demanding proof of the Indian Army’s surgical strike in Pakistan’s terror launch pads has said there are “some politicians who don’t have any ‘maryada’ (decorum) at all”.
“The way they are questioning and bringing down the gallantry of the country’s brave jawans, there are some politicians who don’t have ‘maryada’ at all,” said Parrikar.
“I was hurt and wanted to reply them, but being the Defence Minister I too have to follow some ‘maryada’,” said Parrikar.
Addressing the BJP workers and locals at the GIC ground in Agra on Thursday, Parrikar heaped praise on the Indian Army for carrying out a “100 percent perfect surgical strike” on the seven terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).
“We carried out a 100 percent perfect surgical strike. Our nation carries the heart and courage to carry this task out. There are many people who are not loyal to our country and criticized the Indian Army, but we don't have to give them any proof,” Parrikar.
“Some ex-servicemen wrote to me and said that they are ready to fight on the border if need arises. I salute them,” he added.
The raging debate over details of surgical strikes carried out by the army, with a section of the opposition asking the government to release the details and video of the operations in the face of Pakistan denying any such LoC transgressions.
A political slugfest over surgical strikes broke out Tuesday with Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam calling it "fake" and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking the government to release the proof of the surgical strikes to counter the Pakistani propaganda against the operation.
“Every Indian wants #SurgicalStrikesAgainstPak but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by #BJP. Politics over national interest,” tweeted Nirupam.
“BJP make a mockery out of it by chest thumping and putting up posters in UP,Goa crediting PM Modi instead of the Army,” Nirupam said in another tweet.
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted: “BJP, I m convinced that strikes took place. But intl media publishing Pak propaganda that no strike took place. Lets expose Pak propaganda”.
Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly and senior Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela also asked the Centre “to provide proof of the Army's action to clear the doubts arising in the mind of the people about the claims of the government”.
The relationship between the two estranged neighbours has plunged to a new low in recent times in the wake of Uri terror attack and the subsequent predawn September 29 surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army along the LoC.