BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra has ignited a firestorm of criticism with his controversial statement suggesting that widows of the Pahalgam terror attack victims should have fought back against the terrorists instead of pleading for their husbands’ lives. His remarks, made during an event commemorating Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Jayanti in Bhiwani, have been widely condemned across the political spectrum as insensitive and deeply offensive.
Jangra said,
“They (women tourists) should have fought. I believe they should have fought. This would have resulted in lesser casualty. If all the tourists had been Agniveers, they would have tackled the terrorists, ultimately reducing casualties. We have to reignite the spirit of bravery in our sisters like Queen Ahilyabai.”
This comment comes more than a month after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead—most of them unarmed, including several women and children. The attackers are still at large, sparking concerns over security lapses.
Sharp Backlash Across Opposition
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Deepender Singh Hooda (Congress MP, Rohtak): Called the remarks "deeply offensive" and a disgrace to the memory of the victims.
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Jairam Ramesh (Congress General Secretary):Accused BJP leaders of consistently insulting martyrs and their families. He said:
“Intoxicated by power, BJP leaders now question the widows of martyrs instead of holding anyone accountable for security failures.”
Ramesh also questioned PM Modi’s silence, interpreting it as tacit approval, and demanded Jangra’s expulsion from the BJP.
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Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party Chief):In a post on X, he condemned the remarks in stark language:
“Even the word 'condemnable' would object to being used for such a disgusting statement… The BJP is not a political party, but a cesspool of anti-women mentality.”
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Supriya Shrinate (Congress Social Media Head):Posted a quote from Jangra’s speech, highlighting his apparent lack of empathy:
“She did not have the spirit of a warrior… they folded their hands and became a victim of the bullet.”
Jangra Defends Army, Attacks Congress
When asked about the lack of arrests in the attack, Jangra deflected, saying:
“Our army has destroyed the hideouts and masterminds of the terrorists, even if the attackers haven’t been caught.”
He also took political potshots at Congress, dismissing Rahul Gandhi as a non-serious leader while praising Shashi Tharoor as an “intellectual” for his diplomatic efforts like Operation Sindoor against Pakistan’s propaganda.
Political Fallout & Unanswered Questions
Jangra’s remarks strike a raw nerve not just for widows and survivors of terrorism, but also for those questioning the lack of accountability in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The remarks are being seen as part of a broader trend of incendiary rhetoric from some political leaders, sparking demands for apologies, disciplinary action, and more humane public discourse.
So far, the BJP leadership has not issued any statement, which the opposition is interpreting as deliberate silence.
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