'India was completely defeated on first day of Operation Sindoor'; won't apologise over controversial statement, says former CM Prithviraj Chavan

MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said that he will not apologise over his controversial statements regarding Operation Sindoor and that he did not say anything wrong. Chavan had sparked a controversy by stating that India was defeated on the very first day of Operation Sindoor.

"I won't apologise. I haven't said anything wrong and there is nothing to apologise for. I have nothing more to say," said Chavan.

Chavan made the controversial statement during a function in Pune. He had stated that several Indian fighter aircraft were shot down by the Pakistan Army on the first day of Operation Sindoor, following which the Indian Air Force was left in a state of paralysis. The BJP later came out strongly against his comments.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Chavan, saying that insulting the armed forces has become a hallmark of the Congress. “This is not just Chavan’s statement. Rahul Gandhi has also made similar remarks. This reflects Rahul Gandhi’s mindset. That is why neither the Congress nor its leadership takes action against such leaders. These statements expose their anti-military attitude,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders distanced themselves from Chavan’s remarks. Jharkhand Lok Sabha MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said only Prithviraj Chavan could clarify the source of his comments. He added that the Congress takes pride in the Indian armed forces and has always supported the government in the fight against terrorism and Pakistan.