Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 7: The Karnataka state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on Chief1 Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of political hypocrisy for wearing a red tilak while praising Operation Sindoor, despite his earlier remark suggesting India should avoid war with Pakistan.
Taking to social media platform X, the BJP posted a photo of the chief minister with a visible tilak on his forehead, captioned: “Congress CM Siddaramaiah, once against war with Pakistan, now wears ‘Operation Sindoor’—quite literally on his forehead.”
The BJP also reignited criticism of Siddaramaiah's perceived discomfort with Hindu religious traditions, alleging that he avoids rituals in temples while “flaunting” Muslim identity symbols such as the skull cap.
The chief minister had on Wednesday offered a strong statement in support of the Indian Army’s retaliatory strike on Pakistan-based terror infrastructure, declaring: “I render a big salute to our army for their strikes on Pakistan. India will not hesitate to wage war if necessary.”
BJP leaders quickly pounced on the contradiction, accusing the CM of political opportunism.
BJP State president B Y Vijayendra strongly endorsed Operation Sindoor, declaring it a symbolic act of justice for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. “The sindoors of 25 women, including newlywed brides, were cruelly wiped away by a barbaric act of terror. Today, Operation Sindoor marks the beginning of justice—time to wipe Pakistan off the world map,” Vijayendra said.
He described the trauma of the victims in deeply emotional terms: “The haunting image of a young bride sobbing beside her slain husband has been etched into the hearts of every Indian. Their grief has shaken our national conscience. We will never forget. We will never forgive.”
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayendra said: “Under the strong, unwavering leadership of Modi ji, Bharat has shown that it will not tolerate terrorism or its enablers. Terrorists hiding even under the protection of the Pakistan Army will not be spared.”
“This is more than retaliation—it is a national pledge: the blood of innocent Indians will not be shed in vain. Jai Hind! Jai Indian Armed Forces,” he declared.
Former chief minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai echoed these sentiments, calling the strike a fitting and proud moment for the nation. He said the Indian Army’s retaliation was not only a response to the Pahalgam killings but also “an act of vengeance on behalf of the women who lost their sindoor”.
“Pakistan has become a breeding ground for international terrorism. This action is not just for India—it is a global step towards rooting out terrorism,” Bommai said in a press statement.
He added that the operation was only the beginning. “We must continue until the last terrorist on Pakistani soil is eliminated. At a time like this, the entire nation must unite behind Prime Minister Modi and our brave armed forces.”
Calling for global support, he said: “Every nation that stands for peace and humanity should back India's move at the international level.”
Praising the leadership that made the strike possible, Bommai said: “Heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and our valiant Indian Armed Forces for this decisive and bold step.”