‘Dirty Mentality’: BJP Slams Congress After Channi Questions Surgical Strikes, Then Backtracks Amid Row

Aligarh News May 03, 2025

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BJP leaders criticised Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi for questioning India's surgical strikes in Pakistan. BJP leaders accused Channi and Congress of demoralising armed forces and echoing pro-Pakistan sentiments.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress over party MP and former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s remarks questioning India’s surgical strikes in Pakistan. Several BJP leaders accused Channi and the Congress of demoralising the armed forces and echoing pro-Pakistan sentiments.

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa strongly criticised Channi, alleging a pattern within the Congress of questioning the military’s actions. “Congress has again raised questions on the Indian Air Force. Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi has once again said that he does not believe in the surgical strike and wants proof. What kind of mentality is this of the Congress party, the Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi—that they keep questioning the army, the Indian Air Force?” Sirsa said, as quoted by ANI.

He added, “Pakistan itself is saying that India has caused a lot of damage by conducting surgical strikes. Channi has again shown the dirty politics and dirty mentality of the Gandhi family who always question the army and demoralise the forces. I condemn this.”

BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain termed Channi’s demand for proof of the surgical strikes conducted after the Pulwama terror attack “extremely unfortunate”. “The kind of language being used by Congress leaders is deeply concerning,” he told news agency IANS.

BJP leader CR Kesavan also weighed in, criticising the Congress for allegedly mocking sacrifices made by security personnel. “Wasn’t Channi the same individual who mocked a terror attack in which IAS officer Colonel Corporal Vicky Pandey died? He called it a ‘stunt.’ And today, he is speaking on behalf of the Congress party. This shows their level of credibility—none at all,” Kesavan told ANI.

He further stated, “Why didn’t the Congress Working Committee resolution condemn those Congress leaders who insulted grieving families and humiliated courageous soldiers by peddling pro-Pakistan propaganda? Even in a moment of national grief, when unity is needed, the Congress is playing divisive politics.”

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also launched a pointed attack, saying, “The only identity of the Congress party is to repeatedly insult the army uniform. Congress asked for proof of the surgical strikes, said it was blood-trading, and on the Balakot airstrike said only vultures and crows were killed.”

He further alleged that Congress leader Channi, “who often defends Khalistanis”, was now questioning the surgical strikes despite official confirmation from the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO). “Such statements are demoralising for our armed forces,” he said.

Poonawalla further claimed that the previous UPA government refrained from retaliating after the 26/11 attacks due to "vote bank considerations". He added, “These people repeatedly speak in Pakistan’s narrative and at its behest to break the morale of the army… This appeasement of Pakistan, demoralising the forces, and whitewashing terrorism has become the Congress’s nature.”

Charanjit Channi Backtracks From Surgical Strike Remark

Amid the criticism, Channi backtracked on his position, stating that he was not demanding proof of the surgical strikes. He told news agency PTI, “The Congress party stands with the government in this moment of grief (after the Pahalgam attack). Regarding the (previous) surgical strike, we will not ask for proof, nor do we want any. Today, our main demand is that the government deliver justice to the 26 families who have lost their loved ones in the attack. The Congress party supports the government in any decision it takes.”

“There is nothing about surgical (strike) today. Its proof is not asked for, and I am not asking for it either. What I am saying is that don’t try to divert this (Pahalgam Terrorist Attack). This is a very sensitive issue. Don’t talk of irrelevant things...The innocent tourists who were killed after being asked about their religion—country and those families want justice today. Government should provide them justice. We are with the government in every way,” he remarked while speaking to ANI.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, Channi had raised doubts over the surgical strikes, saying, “No one in the country saw the surgical strike in Pakistan. In our own country, if a bomb falls, will we not even find out about it? They say surgical strikes were carried out in Pakistan, but nothing happened, nowhere were the strikes seen, and no one got to know.” He reiterated his past stance, stating, “I have always asked for proof. But today, it is crucial to heal the wounds of the nation’s people. We demand action—identify those responsible and punish them.”

Channi’s remarks came after a resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), chaired by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and K. C. Venugopal. The resolution condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded accountability from the Centre.

“The entire country awaits accountability, answers, and justice. In the face of such an unforgivable provocation, the Congress believes this is not a time for politics but a moment that calls for unity, strength, and national resolve. We must rise above partisan divides and send out an unambiguous message that India stands together and will not be broken,” the resolution read.

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