Congress tweets image of khaki shorts on fire; BJP calls it 'instigation for violence'
RSS says oppn party spreading 'hatred'
New Delhi, Sep 12: The Congress on Monday tweeted an image of Khaki shorts on fire on Twitter with a caption "to free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS...", triggering a political storm as the BJP and the RSS accused it of spreading "hatred and contempt" and calling it a "blatant instigation for violence".
Posting the image with '145 days more to go' tagline on its official handle, the Congress tweeted,"To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS. Step by step, we will reach our goal" with a hashtag "Bharat Jodo Yatra".
The BJP lashed out at the Congress for its "promotion of violence and hatred" with its spokesperson Sambit Patra dubbing the yatra as "Bharat Todo Yatra" and "Aag Lagao Yatra".
Patra demanded that the Congress immediately take down the post, saying there is no room for violence in India's constitutional scheme of things.
He also cited party leader Rahul Gandhi's meeting during the yatra with a controversial Christian pastor who allegedly insulted a Hindu goddess.
The Congress' tweet also drew a sharp response from the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.
RSS Joint General Secretary Manmohan Vaidya said the Congress wants to connect people through hatred. He alleged that the party's earlier generations of leadership also harboured "hatred and contempt" for the Sangh but could not stop its rise.
Addressing a press conference in Raipur after the conclusion of a three-day RSS coordination meeting, he said that there was "growing support" for Hindutva in society.
As the BJP and the RSS hit out at the opposition party, it launched a counter-attack with its general secretary Jairam Ramesh saying that those who "stoked the fires of hatred, bigotry and prejudice" must be prepared to receive things back in the same coin.
Alleging that the Congress has had an old association with "fire", Patra said Punjab was put on fire when the party was in power and Sikhs were burnt alive during the 1984 riots.
Noting that many members of RSS, the Hindutva organisation considered the BJP's ideological mentor, have been killed in Kerala where the Congress's yatra is going on presently, the BJP spokesperson alleged that the opposition party has signalled to "terrorists" in the southern state to target their functionaries.
"This is a blatant instigation for arson and murder. This instigation has been done by the Gandhi family and the Congress at their behest," he said.
He claimed that Rahul Gandhi has often used the "fire" metaphor, noting that in his address at Cambridge University earlier the Congress leader had alleged the BJP has sprinkled kerosene all over the country and all it needs is one spark to catch fire.
He had made comments on similar lines at a Congress meeting in Rajasthan and during the protests against the 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme for armed forces, Patra added.
"Do you want violence in the country? Do you want people who follow the BJP-RSS ideology burnt," Patra asked.
Hitting back, Ramesh said the RSS-BJP is not used to aggressive responses from the Congress and when the opposition party gives an aggressive response they "retreat".
There are numerous instances of the BJP and its "surrogates" fanning "hatred, prejudice, lies and falsehood," the Congress leader said.
He added, "If they will be aggressive, we will be double aggressive. They should understand that. But the Bharat Jodo Yatra is to unite people. Its aim is to thwart attempts to divide the country, and the divisive policies and intentions in the name of religion, language, caste and states.
"The manner in which inequalities are increasing due to Modi government's policies, increasing political centralisation... to fight that is the aim of Bharat Jodo Yatra."
Later in a series of tweets in Hindi, Ramesh said, "why do those who talk of Congress-mukt Bharat have a problem with burning effigies? And why are they asking us for answers? The answer is to be given by those who killed Gandhi, those who support Godse and call him their role model. The answer is to be given by those who are trying to divide the country."
Asserting that burning effigies is a democratic right, he said the party only depicted jealousy through a cartoon. "Why are people who are burning the country so upset with the symbolic burning of shorts", he asked.
"The fact is that those who opposed the 'Quit India Movement' are jealous of the success of Bharat Jodo Yatra. Because if India will be united then their hate shop will be shut down," the Congress general secretary said.
The BJP also attacked Rahul Gandhi for reportedly skipping the inauguration of a memorial for freedom fighters in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Reports said Gandhi had agreed to attend the event but did not turn up, taking the organisers by surprise.
This is typical of Rahul Gandhi, Patra said, alleging that he is present at events where "anti-India" rants are delivered but is absent from programmes linked to nationalism.
He is a part-time politician who can never be a true "Sevak" of India, Patra claimed.
Congress sources, however, claimed that Gandhi was advised by the security staff against going there due to the surge of crowds. He would be visiting the memorial soon, they said.
To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 12, 2022
Step by step, we will reach our goal.#BharatJodoYatra 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/MuoDZuCHJ2
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Rajnath, Shah, other Union ministers change social media profile photos to 'Op Sindoor' logo
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other top ministers on Thursday changed the display pictures on their social media profiles to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The prime minister, earlier in the day, shared a digital poster depicting the now widely recognised logo of Operation Sindoor and urged others to do the same as a mark of respect to the armed forces.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, with Indian forces conducting precision strikes on multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
After launching the military operation, the Indian Army, in a post on X, at 1:51 am on May 7 had said, "Justice is served. Jai Hind!"
On its first anniversary, the Indian military on Thursday said, Operation Sindoor -- "precise in action, eternal in memory" -- reflected the country's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage, coordination and strength.
The Army, the Navy, the Indian Air Force, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the defence ministry also updated the display pictures on their social media profiles to mark the anniversary.
Defence Minister Singh, while updating his profile photo on X, said Operation Sindoor stands as a "powerful symbol" of national resolve and preparedness, and that their actions reflected unmatched precision, and set a "benchmark" for modern military operations.
"On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, we salute the valour and sacrifices of our armed forces, whose courage and dedication continue to safeguard the nation. Their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations," he wrote.
"Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness, showing that our armed forces are always ready to act decisively when it matters most. It also stands testament to India’s steady advance towards achieving #Atmanirbharta, enhancing capability while reinforcing resilience," he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs, led by its minister Jaishankar, also marked the anniversary, and reasserted and amplified India's diplomatic stand on this operation.
"A year ago, #OperationSindoor demonstrated the nation's resolve to defend itself against cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. With its decisive actions, India ensured accountability for terrorist actions. And underlined that such a serious threat to peace and security will be effectively countered. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, India stands strong and determined to convey a message of zero tolerance for terrorism," the EAM posted on X.
Earlier in a separate post, Jaishankar too changed his profile picture and posted an image of the Operation Sindoor logo on the timeline.
Home Minister Shah, in a post on X, said, "Operation Sindoor stands as an epochal mission of India that will always remind our enemies of the infallible striking power of our armed forces."
After Indian forces had launched the operation in the early hours of May 7, Pakistan later also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by India were also carried out under Operation Sindoor.
The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly 88 hours, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi and Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil too updated their profile photos.
The Indian Army in an early morning post wrote, "#OperationSindoor India's resolute response calibrated and precise. Committed to safeguarding sovereignty and its people. #JusticeServed Jai Hind".
It also shared a video clip encapsulating the circumstances that led to the decisive military action in the early hours of May 7 last year, as well as some footage offering a glimpse to the military might of India.
"India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers," PM Modi had earlier said in his address, whose excerpt is part of the widely shared clip.
Recalling the military action launched on the intervening night of May 6-7, the Indian Air Force put out the anniversary post on X at 1:05 AM.
"Operation Sindoor Justice served. Precise in action, eternal in memory-Operation Sindoor continues. India forgets nothing-India forgives nothing. #operation #Sindoor #operationsindoor #IAF," the IAF posted.
The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) also posted the anniversary message at 1:05 AM, saying, "Symbol of national resolve #OpSindoor JAI HIND #OpSindoor #indianarmedforces #NationalSecurity".
The Indian embassies in the US, the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy also updated their display pictures on their social media profiles.
The embassies in France, Germany, Spain and Italy posted on X in French, German and Italian, amplifying the message of the Indian leadership on Operation Sindoor's anniversary in the respective countries.
The Indian Embassy in the UK posted on X, "One year of #OperationSindoor A tribute to India’s resolve, unity, and unwavering stand against terrorism. Saluting the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces who protect the nation with pride and honor. #OpSindoor #IndiaAgainstTerrorism #IndianArmedForces #NationalSecurity #IndiaFirst #SaluteOurForces #JaiHind #OperationSindoorContinues".
The Indian embassy in Israel also changed its profile photo on X and reposted PM Modi's post, and the X account of the embassy in Iran too changed the display picture to the logo of Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Navy in an early morning post on X said Operation Sindoor reflected India's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage and strength.
"Nation's Resolve. Forces United In moments that test a nation's will, the Indian Defence Forces stand united - resolute in purpose, precise in action and unwavering in commitment. #OperationSindoor reflects India's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage, coordination and strength. #OpSindoor #NationFirst #IndianNavy @HQ_IDS_India @adgpi @IAF_MCC," the Navy posted and changed its profile photo.
