Bengaluru, May 16 (UNI) BJP leaders on Friday roundly condemned Karnataka MLA Kolathur Manjunath’s demand for proof of Operation Sindoor, accusing the Congress party of undermining the Indian Army’s valor and running an anti-national campaign.

BJP national vice-president Gaurav Bhatia said, "Today, Karnataka MLA Manjunath is asking for proof of Operation Sindoor. This clearly shows that the Congress party — Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and their leaders like Siddaramaiah — do not trust the bravery of our Indian Army."

"They demand proof, indicating a deliberate campaign against the country and our soldiers. Robert Vadra tried to divide the nation on communal lines after the Pahalgam terror attack, while Sonia Gandhi remained silent and Rahul Gandhi did not utter a word. The Congress Working Committee’s resolution further exposes that all Congress members are directed to speak against the country, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian Army."

BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi lashed out at the Congress for what he termed as its "history of speaking against the country" and criticised its handling of terrorism during its rule.

Ravi said, "Speaking against the country is not new for Congress; it has been their habit for years. During the 2005 Delhi bombings, 70 lives were lost; 28 in the 2006 Varanasi blasts; 209 in the Mumbai railway blasts; 40 in the Malegaon blasts; 70 in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts; 70 in the 2008 Jaipur blasts; 56 in Ahmedabad blasts; 36 in Delhi blasts; and 170 in the Mumbai attacks."

He accused the Congress of failing to take decisive action against terrorism during its tenure, stating, "What did Congress do then? No surgical strikes or decisive action — only politics. It was only when BJP came to power that surgical strikes were conducted after the Uri attack and Pulwama. Now nine terror bases have been destroyed and over 100 terrorists eliminated after the Pahalgam attack."

Ravi further said, "Our Prime Minister said, 'Blood and water will not flow together.' What did Congress do during their rule against serial blasts? They should rename their party from INC to PNC — Pakistan National Congress — or at least act like nationalists, not Pakistani sympathisers. Their attacks on the Indian Army are unacceptable.”

He emphasised the need for modern technology and firm action to combat terrorism, adding, “Terrorism persists globally; only through DNA technology and firm action can it be eradicated. We must support efforts to end terrorism.”

BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy added, “It is difficult to tell if Manjunath is an Indian or a foreigner. The entire world witnessed what happened between India and Pakistan — we destroyed terror hideouts. Pakistan once claimed to be against terrorists but cremated the dead terrorists with full state honours. When India attacked terror bases, Pakistan retaliated with attacks on India. Congress opposed war and stood like Pakistan’s B team.”

The BJP leaders’ remarks come amid intense political debate over Operation Sindoor and the Congress party’s stance on national security issues.

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