BJP MP’s ‘Women Should Have Fought’ Comment on Pahalgam Attack Ignites Fury
A BJP Rajya Sabha MP, Ram Chander Jangra, has ignited a firestorm of controversy after suggesting that the widows of the Pahalgam terror attack victims should have “fought back against the terrorists” instead of pleading for their husbands’ lives.
Jangra made the shocking statement while addressing a gathering in Bhiwani on the occasion of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Jayanti. He argued that if the tourists had “fought” or were “Agniveer” (a reference to the Indian Army’s recruitment scheme), fewer casualties would have occurred. He even compared them to the legendary Queen Ahilyabai, known for her bravery.
Outrage and Condemnation
His remarks have drawn widespread condemnation for their insensitivity towards victims of terrorism. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda from Rohtak called Jangra’s words “deeply offensive,” while senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused BJP leaders of repeatedly insulting the Indian Army and martyred soldiers, characterizing it as a “petty and degrading mindset.”
Ramesh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the BJP’s alleged insensitivity, stating that instead of holding anyone accountable for the security lapse in the Pahalgam attack, its leaders are now questioning the victims and their families. He also pointed out that there has been no action taken against other BJP leaders who have made controversial remarks in the past.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also strongly condemned Jangra’s statement, calling it “deeply offensive and unacceptable,” and accusing the BJP of fostering a “cesspool of anti-women mentality.”
Congress’s social media head, Supriya Shrinate, further denounced Jangra’s comments, highlighting the BJP’s hypocrisy in claiming to champion women while simultaneously engaging in such demeaning remarks.
Jangra Defends Remarks, Citing Security Measures
When questioned about the lack of arrests in the Pahalgam attack, Jangra stated that the army had “destroyed the hideouts and masterminds of the terrorists,” even if the attackers themselves hadn’t been apprehended.
This incident comes more than a month after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives on April 22. The attack, which targeted unarmed civilians, sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation.
Interestingly, Jangra also used the opportunity to criticize Rahul Gandhi, stating that “no one takes Rahul seriously, nor should they,” and accusing him of maligning India abroad. However, he praised Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, calling him an intellectual and commending his diplomatic efforts, including initiatives like Operation Sindoor, aimed at countering Pakistan on the international stage.
