IAF Air Strike: Opposition Accuses BJP Of Politicising India's "Non-Military Preemptive Strike"

As tension continues to escalate between India and Pakistan over the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, which left over 40 CRPF jawans martyred, at least 21 parties of the Opposition has lauded the government for carrying out the recent air strikes after a meeting at the national capital on Wednesday, February 27, and also expressed “deep concern over for the safety of the missing Indian pilot” and “condemned Pakistani misadventure.”

Opposition blames government

However, the parties, led by Congress President Rahul Gandhi condemned the ruling NDA government for politicising the issue. According to Hindustan Times, the opposition parties expressed “deep anguish” over the ruling party’s “blatant politicization” of the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers. Their statement came after a 120-minute long meeting.

The leaders stated that the Prime Minister has, “regrettably, not convened an all-party meeting as per the established practice in our democracy” and that the Prime Minister has, “regrettably, not convened an all-party meeting as per the established practice in our democracy.”

Reportedly, CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury pointed out how BJP president Amit Shah compared the NDA regime with that of the UPA while talking about the recent air strike on JeM camps. He said that while the situation should not escalate to war, “we make note of how the BJP is misusing the situation”. West Bengal Chief Minister also said that the party has launched a political campaign against the issue.

Claims denied

According to The Indian Express, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar not only denied any such attempts to politicise the event, he further, “The Opposition parties’ statement has pleased Pakistan and its media. The Opposition should think if it was proper to make such a statement at a time when the country should be united.”

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley taking a jibe at the opposition posed a series of tweets in Hindi which read, “The entire country has supported the government in one voice as appropriate to the proceedings. Why then are India’s opposition parties politically motivated by the anti-terror act of the Government?”

The Cross Border terror attack in Pulwama was a reality. The Balakot Operation was India’s Anti- Terror preemptive strike to defend its Sovereignty.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 27, 2019

My appeal to India’s opposition – “Let the country speak in one voice”. Please introspect – “Your ill advised statement is being used by Pakistan to bolster its case”.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 27, 2019

Controversial remarks

However, after Tuesday’s air strike by the Indian Air Force, BJP president Amit Shah not only hailed Modi for the move but also said that by conducting the surgical strike, the Prime Minister had sent “a message to the world” and that the Army and the Modi government would go to any extent to protect the country. According to The Hindu, Shah said, “Who can ensure security of the country? The people of the gathbandhan (alliance) or Modiji.”

Not only mean, but Former Chief Minister and Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa on February 27 stirred controversy after he said that the BJP would benefit from the preemptive strike and this will help the party in securing more than 22 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“For the first time in forty years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bravery has resulted in Pakistan learning a lesson. When 42 of our soldiers were martyred, PM Modi had said he would extract revenge for the deaths of each soldier. With the preemptive strike, he has kept his promise,” he said while talking to the media persons, reported The News Minute.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao criticised his statement and said that he is using the Jammu & Kashmir issue to gain political benefit. He later tweeted:

Most disgusting shameful irresponsible statement made by ⁦@BSYBJP⁩.
Using the #J&K situation for political benefit.

Is winning elections becoming the criteria for BJP & not the security of India.

Is going to war a electoral strategy for the BJP. https://t.co/G2r96RWxlO

— Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) February 27, 2019

Former Chief Minister and Congress Legislative Party chief Siddaramaiah also spoke along similar lines and said, “Hiding behind the bodies of martyred soldiers and trying to make political gains of it is shows Yeddyurappa’s greed.”

However, a day after he made those controversial remarks, BS Yeddyurappa said that his statement has been entirely misinterpreted and said, “I have the highest regard for our armed forces. I salute the bravery of our men fighting for the country’s safety,” reported India Today.

Not only are the politicians engaged in such discourse, but the social media users have been frantically dragging the political narrative amidst such high tensions between two nuclear-armed nations like India and Pakistan. At sensitive times like these, when our security and armed forces are on a constant vigil to protect the sovereignty of the nations, we as Indians ought to be more careful while making any remarks.

Also Read: What Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale Meant By India’s “Non-Military Preemptive Action”