DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Congress has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly using the Army for political gain, after initially defending the Centre and the Army's actions in 'Operation Sindoor'.
The party's shift in stance comes after a three-day silence on the matter.
Reacting specifically to the BJP's announced 'Tiranga Yatra', explicitly being conducted under the name of 'Operation Sindoor', Suryakant Dhasmana, Senior Vice President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee, drew distinction with Congress' historical actions.
He highlighted that the Congress party had previously conducted Tiranga Yatras across the country when the Army had actively engaged in fighting against enemies on and across the border.
He stated that such yatras were aimed solely at boosting the morale of the soldiers and demonstrating full national support.
"Lakhs of Congress workers fulfilled their national duty by holding such Tiranga Jai Hind Yatras in various parts of the country, including the state capital Dehradun," Dhasmana recalled, contrasting with the BJP's current initiative.
Dhasmana acknowledged the BJP's planned yatra but immediately pivoted to a more fundamental concern.
While stating that Congress had 'no objection' to the BJP's yatra, he also added, "The BJP and the Prime Minister of the country must answer the biggest question in the minds of the people: Who gave America the right to decide India's security, self-defence, and sovereignty?"
He pointed to President Trump's announcement of a ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict, his continuous offers to mediate on the Kashmir issue, and notably, his address to the world even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national address.
"Trump clearly stated that he got India and Pakistan to cease fire by scolding and threatening them," Dhasmana stated.
Based on such instances, Dhasmana stressed that PM Modi and the BJP government must tell the people whether the country's defence, trade, and foreign policy are being run by India or by the American President.