Bhagwant Mann Slams BJP’s ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’, Accuses Party of Misusing Sacred Traditions for Votes
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, accusing it of turning sacred Indian customs into political tools.
His remarks came amid allegations that the BJP was running a ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’ in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
“What can we do about it? You are asking votes in name of sindoor. They have made a mockery of sindoor,” Mann said during a campaign event for the Ludhiana West Assembly bypolls.
He referred to reports of BJP workers distributing sindoor (vermilion) to households. “They are saying they will send sindoor to every household,” Mann added. “If sindoor is sent to your home, will you put sindoor in Modi’s name? Is ‘One Nation, One Husband’ your new scheme?”
AAP’s Strong Response
Mann’s remarks echoed those of senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who also slammed the BJP for the alleged campaign, calling it a “cheap political stunt.”
“Do chutki sindoor ka mahatva aap kya jante hai Modiji?” Singh posted on social media, playing on a famous Hindi movie dialogue.
Singh stated that sindoor symbolises a woman’s respect for her husband’s life and well-being, and reflects deep emotional meaning. He criticised the Prime Minister, saying that after pushing for ‘One Nation, One Election’ and ‘One Nation, One Leader’, Modi was now promoting ‘One Nation, One Husband.’
Political Backlash and Reactions
The comment stirred sharp political reactions. The Kerala Congress unit responded by sharing a satirical poster featuring Prime Minister Modi with the tagline “One Nation, One Husband.”
The poster referenced reports of a month-long sindoor outreach program starting June 9, in which BJP MPs were expected to walk 15–20 km daily.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Karnataka unit retaliated on social media, stating: “Congress insults Hindus day in and day out, then blames EVMs on result day. A script uglier than the gold hidden where no sun shines.”
As controversy erupted over Mann’s statement, the BJP called for his resignation and demanded an apology.
BJP Defends Operation Sindoor
Addressing the media, Mann reiterated his stand and questioned whether women would wear sindoor in Modi’s name. He said, “Will you wear sindoor in Modi’s name?” and again asked if this was the “One Nation, One Husband” scheme.
BJP’s Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal condemned the remarks. He wrote, “Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: ‘Will you wear sindoor in Modi’s name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?’”
Baliawal stated that Operation Sindoor was launched in response to terrorist attacks where Hindus were targeted based on religious identifiers like sindoor. He clarified that there was no BJP campaign sending sindoor to every home.
BJP Demands Mann’s Resignation
The BJP spokesperson accused Mann of showing “zero sensitivity” and said he had mocked the Indian Army and insulted Veer Naris.
“This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives, but how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that? A man who mocks the Indian Army, insults Veer Naris, turns every sacred symbol into a joke. Such a person will never understand the value of sindoor, which carries sacrifice, love, and devotion,” the BJP leader stated.
He demanded Mann resign immediately and apologise to the nation.
Background of Operation Sindoor
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which killed 26 people.
The Indian armed forces targeted nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response.
Mann Questions Government’s Claims
The following day, Mann questioned the BJP-led central government’s claims of success in Operation Sindoor. He argued that genuine victories speak for themselves.
“It’s obvious why the BJP government withdrew the plan to send ‘sindoor’ to every house. When you win a war, your victory is evident, and there’s no need to boast about it,” he said.
He also criticised the Chief of Defence Staff’s remarks in Singapore, where it was stated that Indian jets had been shot down.
“He said it’s not about how many were shot down, but why they were shot down. They’re making these claims themselves and then accusing me of siding with Pakistan,” Mann noted.
The political row deepened when Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu accused Mann of siding with Pakistan, prompting the Chief Minister to hit back strongly.
