BJP disrespecting armed forces, their families: Cong MP on Jangra's remarks

Time of India

25-05-2025

Nagpur: The political storm triggered by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra's remarks on the April 22
, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, has now reached Nagpur, drawing sharp responses from opposition leaders.
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Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, addressing the media outside Nagpur Airport on Sunday, strongly condemned Jangra's alleged comments and accused the BJP of repeatedly showing disregard for the armed forces and their families. "At first, a minister from Madhya Pradesh used disrespectful words for Col Sofiya Qureshi, following which both the high court and the Supreme Court reprimanded him, and an FIR was also filed," said Pratapgarhi adding, "Yet, no action was taken by BJP.
He was neither removed from the cabinet nor was he suspended."
Pratapgarhi also pointed out that a deputy chief minister said the army bows at the feet of the Prime Minister. "And now this Rajya Sabha member from Haryana (Jangra). Derogatory language was used against the women from martyr families, and those who lost their husbands — I want to ask the Prime Minister: what kind of language are your leaders using?" he said.
Union minister for women and child development Annapurna Devi, who was in Nagpur on Sunday for an event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, too was asked about Jangra's comments. She did not address the issue directly but spoke on the status and strength of women in India. "From the very beginning, the culture and civilisation of our country has had a tradition of worshipping women. We do not just worship them, our brave women stand strong wherever they go.
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Women have helped move the country forward," she said.
The minister stressed that women are increasingly taking key roles in the army. "Whenever they get an opportunity, they manage both home and the world outside — and they've proven it time and again," she said,
Devi also highlighted India's recent economic milestone, referencing the country's new ranking as the world's fourth-largest economy. "During the UPA tenure, we were at 11th.
Under PM Modi's leadership, we moved up to 5th, and now 4th. It's clear we are aiming for 3rd, and that goal is within reach," she said adding, "We also saw how our army took swift revenge for the Pahalgam attack under PM Modi's leadership."
On the other hand, Pratapgarhi questioned the real progress under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision discussed at the recent NITI Aayog meeting. "That is something we've been hearing about for 11 years.
But when will it become reality? That's the real question," he said.
The Congress MP also commented on the push for modern education in madarsas. "If the agenda is to provide modern education, then it should be implemented across all madarsas. But the intent must be pure — it must genuinely be about education," he said.