BJP fumes as Bengal Assembly praises armed forces without mention of 'Operation Sindoor'

The West Bengal Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the recent Pahalgam terror attack and commending the Indian armed forces for their precision strikes on terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. However, the resolution notably omitted any mention of "Operation Sindoor," the specific military operation under which these strikes were carried out. This omission has ignited a fierce reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of "double standards" and undermining the efforts of the armed forces.

The resolution expressed "profound sense of shock and anguish" at the "barbaric and inhumane attack" in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which tragically claimed 26 lives, including three from West Bengal. It unequivocally lauded the "coordinated efforts of the different wings of the Indian Armed Forces in targeting with absolute precision and destroying major terrorist infrastructures." The Assembly also acknowledged the "extraordinary display of unity, compassion and resilience" shown by the people of the country, particularly those in Jammu and Kashmir, in the aftermath of the attack.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while praising the military action, launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Centre, attributing the Pahalgam attack to the government's "total failure and callousness" in ensuring security. She questioned the absence of security forces at the attack site and even suggested that India had an "opportunity to take control of POK" during the military standoff. However, the BJP swiftly retaliated, with leader Agnimitra Paul questioning the sincerity of the appreciation when "Operation Sindoor" was not explicitly mentioned. Paul criticized the TMC for seemingly praising the armed forces while simultaneously demeaning the Prime Minister and the central leadership.