‘Avoid unnecessary remarks’: Befitting warning from Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment that the caste census is a step towards bringing the marginalized into the mainstream of development is quite welcoming. Until recently, the ruling BJP had been turning a blind eye to this demand, which was constantly being made by the backward communities and the INDIA Front. It was only recently that the Union Cabinet decided to conduct a caste census as part of the general census, clearing up the ambiguities in this regard. This is the first time since then that the Prime Minister has expressed his opinion on the matter. The Prime Minister had made it clear in the meeting of NDA Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers that the Central Government does not believe in caste politics and believes in the empowerment of the poor.

Another very important point was also made in Modi's speech at this meeting. Modi asked the leaders to avoid unnecessary comments. 'Operation Sindoor' was an action that clearly demonstrated India's strength, unity and commitment to the world. In response to India's retaliation, Pakistan could do nothing but wage a war of words. Moreover, Pakistan's incompetence on the battlefield was clearly understood not only by Indians but also by the people, government and military leadership of Pakistan.

India's Foreign Secretary and representatives of the military had revealed in a press conference that the intention behind the Pahalgam attack was to create division and rift in the strong ties between India's various religious communities by targeting and killing only those belonging to a specific religious community and that the terrorist forces based in Pakistan were behind it. Following 'Operation Sindoor', some BJP leaders in many states had made various blunderous claims to appease their listeners. The most reprehensible of these was made by BJP Minister Vijay Shah of Madhya Pradesh. The minister made a hateful remark against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who shared war news in a press conference, saying that 'their own sister was deployed to defeat the terrorists'!

Even though the minister apologized when the controversy arose, the Supreme Court dismissed it and ordered the formation of a special team led by high-ranking officials to investigate the case registered against the minister. The Supreme Court observed that the minister's statement had brought shame to the entire country and that the implications of such remarks should have been identified before making them, and that the apology made after making the statement could only be considered as crocodile tears to escape legal action. On the other hand, another BJP MP from Haryana made an outlandish comment that had the women present at Pahalgam fought back like Rani of Jhansi or Ahilyabai Holkar, the number of casualties would have been less. Such low-level statements made to incite some people with extreme Hindutva tendencies are only going to tarnish the glory of India's proud victory. It is fitting that the Prime Minister himself asked leaders to avoid such statements.