The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply condemned Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for her remarks regarding the recent Kanker encounter in Chhattisgarh. During the encounter, 29 Maoists were killed in a confrontation with the Border Security Force (BSF).
In a press conference, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Shrinate of referring to the Maoists as “shaheed” or martyrs, rather than acknowledging the action of the security forces. Poonawalla emphasized that Shrinate’s statement casts doubt on the valor of the security personnel involved in the operation.
जिन नक्सलियों ने छत्तीसगढ़ महतारी की धरती को निर्दोष छतीसगढ़ियो के खून से लाल किया है ऐसे बर्बर नक्सलियों को शहीद बताकर छत्तीसगढ़ की जनता, पुलिस बल और लोकतंत्र का मजाक बनाने वाली कांग्रेस की राष्ट्रीय प्रवक्ता सुप्रिया श्रीनेत आपका आगमन इस पावन धरती को स्वीकार्य नहीं है।…
— BJP Chhattisgarh (@BJP4CGState) April 18, 2024
Poonawalla, himself a former member of the Congress party, condemned Shrinate’s comments, stating that they expose the true intentions of the Congress-led opposition. He accused the Congress of sympathizing with the Maoists and insinuated that this sympathy stems from the party’s desperation ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Poonawalla’s remarks suggest a deepening political divide over the handling of security challenges posed by Maoist insurgency in regions like Chhattisgarh.
This incident is not the first time Shrinate has found herself embroiled in controversy. Just days prior, she faced censure from the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a social media post targeting BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut.
Shrinate claimed that the post was not authored by her and blamed it on unauthorized access to her social media accounts. However, the incident underscores the volatile nature of political discourse in the lead-up to elections.
Shrinate, a former journalist, has defended herself against the backlash, asserting that her remarks were taken out of context. She clarified that she merely advocated for a thorough investigation into the Kanker encounter and did not intend to glorify the Maoists.
Nonetheless, the BJP’s condemnation underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions about insurgency and national security in Bharat’s political landscape.
The controversy surrounding Shrinate’s comments underscores the broader ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress. While the BJP emphasizes a hardline stance against extremism and terrorism, the Congress often advocates for a more exact approach that includes addressing underlying socio-economic grievances.
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