It is an insult to the armed forces and reflects Congress' mindset
Mangaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's description of India's military operation against Pakistan as a “Chut-Put war” has sparked a sharp backlash from the BJP, with several leaders slamming the remark as an insult to the armed forces and a reflection of the Congress party’s “mindset.”
During his speech at the public meeting in Hosapete to mark two years of the Congress government in Karnataka on Tuesday, Kharge attacked Modi and the central government for the recent terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam.
"There was a Chutput war or skirmish with Pakistan. The job of Pakistan is to put blame on India. They do not have strength. They tried to attack by taking the help of China. We will not tolerate it. We are all united," he had stated.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was among the first to respond, calling the statement “shocking and unacceptable.”
“It is shocking and unacceptable that he calls the conflict with Pakistan ‘small wars’ and refers to it as ‘our’ Pakistan. Mallikarjun Kharge’s words show his careless attitude and expose Congress’s real mindset. They insult the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers who protect the nation every day. They are showing sympathy for a country that backs and sponsors terrorism,” Joshi posted on X.
“This clearly reflects Congress’s dangerous thinking and misplaced priorities. Such statements weaken national unity and encourage our enemies. Congress must stop undermining India’s strength and stand firmly with the nation. Completely unacceptable!”
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra also took to X, calling Kharge's remark irresponsible and deeply insulting.
“Kharge ji, calling India’s bold military strike a ‘CHHUTPUT YUDH’ is not just irresponsible, it’s deeply insulting to the unmatched courage of our armed forces.”
“This operation marks the strongest and most calculated military response to Pakistan since the Kargil War. Your party’s track record stands in sharp contrast. Even after repeated provocations, from the deadly 7/11 Mumbai train blasts to countless cross-border attacks, your UPA government chose silence over strength, appeasement over action. The nation remembers. No action by our brave forces is ever ‘CHHUTPUT.’ Every mission carries the weight of national honour and the blood of our martyrs. Do not belittle our soldiers’ sacrifice.”
Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Aravind Bellad echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Congress president's words reveal more than a mere slip of the tongue.
“It’s not just a slip of the tongue — it’s a dangerous mindset. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, referring to the conflict with Pakistan as ‘small wars’ and calling it ‘our Pakistan’ is not mere carelessness. It reflects how far Congress is willing to go to score political points, even if it means undermining the courage of our armed forces and the unity of the nation.”
“India has lost thousands of brave soldiers defending our borders against a hostile neighbour that sponsors terrorism and challenges our sovereignty. To reduce these sacrifices to ‘small wars’ and use language that blurs the line between us and an enemy state is not just an insult — it’s a betrayal.”
Bellad went further, accusing Congress of consistently prioritizing appeasement over national interest.
“Time and again, Congress has chosen to oppose national interest — whether on security, foreign policy, or matters of pride. When a national party refuses to back the country against its enemies, it stops being a constructive force and becomes a risk to national unity. This isn’t leadership — it’s capitulation. Congress would rather echo the enemy than stand with India. Completely unacceptable.”
The BJP’s official handle on X also weighed in with a sarcastic jibe:
“Congress President calls ‘Operation Sindoor’ a small war and refers to Pakistan as Our Pakistan. Thank God he didn’t address Jihadi Masood Azhar as Sri Masood Azhar ji this time. Small mercies!”
