After Vijay Shah, another leader from Madhya Pradesh has made a controversial comment linked to the country’s armed forces.
This time, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda made the comment while addressing volunteers who came for training in civil defence.
Mr Devda, referring to the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent strikes in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, told the gathering that the military “bows at the feet” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We have seen [in Pahalgam] tourists were singled out, their religion were identified, the women were taken aside and the men were shot dead in front of their family members, in front of their children. Ever since then, the people of this country will not rest till we take revenge against the terrorists and those who support them,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
“Today, the entire country, the military bow at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for the strong action he took, for the response he gave. Please give him a big hand,” Mr Devda said, and gestured to the audience to clap, which they did.
Days ago, insensitive comments made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi led to his appointment with the Supreme Court, which ordered him to “go and apologise” to the army officer.
Mr Shah made the comments at a public address in Indore’s Raikunda village on May 12. The comments were widely perceived as communal, gendered, and derogatory toward Colonel Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer who has become a mainstay in national press briefings on Operation Sindoor, often appearing alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The opposition Congress, reacting to the Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks, called them “outrageous” and insulting to the armed forces.
“Our soldiers protect the nation – not politicians’ egos. Saying that the Indian Army bows at the feet of PM Modi is not just outrageous – it’s an insult to the sacrifice, valour, and dignity of our armed forces. BJP leader Jagdish Devda’s words are disgraceful,” the Youth Congress said in a post on X.
Our soldiers protect the nation – not politicians’ egos.
Saying that the Indian Army bows at the feet of PM Modi is not just outrageous – it’s an insult to the sacrifice, valour, and dignity of our armed forces.
BJP leader Jagdish Devda’s words are disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/ApekeMnkop
— Goa Pradesh Youth Congress (@IYCGoa) May 16, 2025
Congress social media chief Supriya Shrinate in a post on X asked PM Modi to sack the BJP leader.
“… This is a grave insult to the valour and bravery of the army. Apologies will not suffice. Modi ji, you will have to sack this man – this is a very disgusting thought,” Ms Shrinate said in the post in Hindi.