In a shocking display of insensitivity, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra stirred national outrage by suggesting that the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack should have “fought back” and that the women who lost their husbands lacked the spirit of ‘veerangna’ (warrior women), reported the Maktoob Media.
Speaking at an event in Bhiwani, Haryana, to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, Jangra said the victims should have shown courage and taken inspiration from historical figures. “Had they read about Ahilyabai Holkar, such a thing wouldn’t have happened,” he claimed.
The MP further stated that the loss of 26 lives in the brutal attack could have been minimized if the tourists had undergone Agniveer military training. “If they had fought, the casualties would have been less. The terrorists didn’t come to plead, they came to kill,” he added.
Jangra’s remarks were met with fierce criticism from across the political spectrum, particularly the Congress party, which demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology and Jangra’s immediate expulsion from the BJP.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned the MP’s comments, calling them “shameful and insensitive.” He accused the BJP of consistently insulting the Indian Army and martyrs, highlighting previous objectionable remarks by BJP leaders like Vijay Shah and Jagdish Devda.
Ramesh questioned Modi’s silence, suggesting that continued inaction might be perceived as tacit approval. “Instead of acknowledging the security lapse, BJP leaders are blaming the victims and their families. Where is the Prime Minister’s voice?” he asked.
Odisha Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik also condemned Jangra, stating, “He has not only disrespected the martyrs but also blamed their grieving widows. This is the lowest BJP has stooped — mocking the pain of those who’ve lost everything.”
The controversy adds to growing criticism of the BJP’s handling of the Pahalgam tragedy, as public outrage over the remarks continues to escalate.
