'Insult of army': Congress slams BJP over MP deputy CM's 'objectionable' remarks

"We will not take this statement lying down, and we demand that PM Modi immediately sack the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, for the brazen remark he has made," said Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday (May 16) accused the BJP of "insulting the Army" after Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda allegedly made objectionable comments on the forces and demanded his sacking.

Speaking at an event, Devda allegedly said, "We would like to thank the prime minister. The entire country, the country's army and those soldiers bow at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji... for the befitting response he gave." The remarks came days after Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah came under fire for his alleged objectionable remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi, who was a prominent face of the armed forces during media briefings on Operation Sindoor along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "The constant insult of our army by BJP leaders is extremely shameful and unfortunate. First a minister of Madhya Pradesh made an indecent comment on women soldiers and now their Deputy Chief Minister has grossly insulted the army." The people of the entire country are proud of the valour of the army but the BJP people are "insulting" the army and instead of taking action against these leaders, the BJP is trying its best to save them, she alleged.

"What message does BJP want to give to our army and people of the country by doing this?" she said.

At a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate played a video of Devda's remarks and asked whether anyone can imagine any Indian ever saying something as "blasphemous and brazenly shameless" as that.

"The entire country is grateful for what our armed forces have done. They have consistently taught a lesson to our enemies. Our armed forces have divided Pakistan into two. We have always given a befitting reply in 1965, 1971, 1999, and even after the Pahalgam terror strike. Our armed forces brought Pakistan to its knees by consistently destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan," she said.

Such a statement is a brazen violation of what this country feels for our armed forces, which is absolute respect, Shrinate said.

"We honour their valour, their supreme sacrifice, and our heads bow as far as our armed forces are concerned. They don't just protect our borders but also protect our territorial integrity. They are the ones because of whom our people live safely and work the way we do. They guard us from the glaciers of Siachen to the deserts of Rajasthan. Such a statement is an insult that no Indian is willing to take," she said.

"We will not take this statement lying down, and we demand that PM Modi immediately sack the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, for the brazen remark he has made. If he fails to do so, we will be forced to believe that this was said with his permission and has his patronage," she said.

Shah, another minister from Madhya Pradesh, insulted one of India's most decorated soldiers, Col Qureshi, and yet the BJP neither questioned him nor took any action, she alleged.

"Both the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh governments remained mute spectators until the Jabalpur High Court ordered an FIR to be filed - an FIR that has since been reduced to a mockery. The High Court has taken strong cognisance of the matter, clearly stating that the charges listed in the FIR would not stand the test of law and has directed that the FIR be amended without fear or favour," Shrinate said.

This is the reality of how the BJP treats our armed forces and soldiers - those who display valour, courage, and make the ultimate sacrifice, she said.

"The BJP had absolutely no role in the freedom movement and made no sacrifices," Shrinate said.

"Modi ji once claimed that a corporate or a trader in India is braver than Indian soldiers. Forget avenging the supreme sacrifice of our 20 bravehearts in Galwan — we have continued doing business with China. Our trade deficit with China now stands at 100 billion dollars," she said.

The Congress on Wednesday had asked why Modi has not yet sacked Shah for his objectionable remarks on Col Qureshi and said the "atrocious" comments reflect the BJP's "diseased mindset".

The opposition party slammed the BJP after a video went viral in which Shah is purportedly heard making objectionable remarks, saying, "'Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the… humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi (those who wiped sindoor (vermilion) off our daughters' forehead... we sent their sister to teach them a lesson)'."