Bengaluru, May 20 (UNI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday described recent cross-border operations, including Operation Sindoor, as "chhutput yuddh" (small wars), sparking a sharp rebuttal from the BJP, which accused Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi of belittling the valour of the Indian Armed Forces.

Addressing the Samarpane Sankalpa rally at Hosapete near Ballari, Kharge criticised the Modi government’s handling of India’s strategic challenges, saying, “Now, in these chhutput yuddh that have taken place here and there, Pakistan has been attacking India at all levels, particularly with tacit support from China."

He also alleged that the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to Kashmir on April 17 was cancelled following intelligence warnings of potential largescale violence, but the government did not inform the public. "Had people been warned, 26 innocent lives could have been saved," Kharge said.

Kharge further criticised PM Modi for skipping two all-party meetings called after the deadly incident in Kashmir, while the Prime Minister campaigned in Bihar. "If we had skipped those meetings, we would be called traitors. But when Modi skips them, it’s branded as patriotism. Why this double standard?" he asked.

Reacting sharply to Kharge's remarks, BJP spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra, at a press conference in New Delhi, condemned the Congress leaders for undermining the bravery of the armed forces by referring to Operation Sindoor as a "chuutputt yudh" (small war).”

"Kharge ji is saying that Operation Sindoor is a small war. Are Rahul Gandhi and Kharge ji not able to understand that our Armed Forces entered Pakistan and struck nine terror sites there, and more than 100 terrorists were killed?" Patra said.

He added, "After retaliation by Pakistan, their 11 airbases were destroyed, and today, Pakistan is crying in pain. And you are saying that Operation Sindoor was a small war. This is cheating the country and the bravery of the Armed Forces."

Patra accused the Congress of making "irresponsible and dangerous" comments aimed at demoralising India’s security forces for political gains. "Such statements give strength to India’s enemies and undermine the sacrifices of our soldiers," he said.

The political volley came amid rising tensions and heated debates over national security ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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