Javadekar slams Mamata for questioning airstrikes

Union minister Prakash Javadekar slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for asking for evidence for the air strike by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on terror camps in Pakistan.

Accusing Mamata and other Opposition party leaders for insulting the armed forces, Javadekar said that the people of the country will never forgive them.

“I am shocked to see that instead of congratulating the armed forces Mamata Banerjee and other Opposition party leaders are raising questions about it (the air strike) and asking for proof,” Javadekar said.

He was addressing a meeting of state BJP’s intellectual cell in Bardhaman town of West Bengal’s East Bardhaman district.

Javadekar claimed that when Pakistan has admitted that the airstrike by IAF has taken place in their territory the West Bengal chief minister and other Opposition leaders are still asking or evidence.

“Pakistan has said that 12 aircraft have targeted camps inside their territory. But Mamata Banerjee and other Opposition leaders are refuting it. I condemn this. In no other country the Opposition questions the achievements of the armed forces,” Javadekar said.

The Union minister also said that after the terror attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, the armed forces wanted to take action against Pakistan but the then UPA government did not allow it.

“After the Mumbai terror attack took place the armed forces said that they want to take action against Pakistan but the then UPA government did not allow it. But now the Modi government gave free hand to the armed forces,” Javadekar said.

He also said that the Opposition parties behaved in the same way after the surgical strike and asked for evidence.

“But when video footage of the surgical strike appeared they became silent,” the Union minister said.

Taking a dig at the leaders of the 'Mahagathbandhan', he said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a “mazboot” (strong) government at the Centre, leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati want a “mazboor” (weak) government.