Modi critic Bhagawan praises PM for Govt's Kashmir move
Bengaluru: Litterateur and historian K S Bhagawan, a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has heaped praise on him for government's move to revoke Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision has rid the people of Kashmir of their sufferings and brought happiness to the country, Bhagawan said.
"I am proud and happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave a permanent mark in the history of the country. Jai Narendra Modi," he said in a hand-written press release.
The move has brought the the entire nation under one constitution, Bhagawan said, adding, the entire country was "desperately" waiting for it.
Without elaborating, the rationalist said at least Rs seven crore to Rs eight crore was being "wasted" per day in Kashmir, which can now be utilised for the people's welfare.
Later speaking to PTI, Bhagawan said: "There was a distinction between rest of the country and Kashmir. Modi erased that dichotomy in one go."
Justifying applauding Modi on the issue, Bhagawan said whatever is good for the country should be appreciated. "What former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not do, was made possible by Modi, which everyone should welcome," he said.
The controversial author was reportedly in the hit list of a "right wing gang", which was allegedly behind the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh and rationalist M M Kalburgi, following which his security was strengthened.
Bhagawan had drawn flak in February 2015 when he allegedly stated that certain stanzas of the Bhagavad Gita should be burnt as they promote caste-based discrimination against the "Shudras" or the lowest strata of Hindu society.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
ALSO READ: New safety wristbands launched for children at Makkah’s Grand Mosque
"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
