'Why should I apologise': Congress' Prithviraj Chavan defiant as Op Sindoor remarks spark row

New Delhi: Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan refused to apologise for remarks on Operation Sindoor, saying he didn't say anything wrong and that the Constitution gave him the right to ask questions. Chavan sparked a controversy this week after he said that India was defeated on the very first day of Operation Sindoor, a military action launched against Pakistan in May in response to the April 22 Pulwama terror attack.

Asked about his statement and if he would apologise, the Congress leader said, “Why should I apologise? There is no question of that. The Constitution gives me the right to ask questions.”

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'Asking questions is Opposition's right '

He further said that in a democracy, asking questions and demanding answers from the government is the constitutional right of the Opposition. Standing by his statement, Chavan said that he was exercising his right to express his views.

"I don't want to say anything more now… but I will not apologise. There is no need… I did not make any wrong comment," he added.

Speaking at an event in Pune this week, the former Maharashtra Chief Minister kicked up a political row after claiming Indian military aircraft were shot down by Pakistan forces on the first day of Operation Sindoor. He also went on to claim that the Indian Air Force had been "completely grounded" as a result.

When asked about his remarks this morning, he refused to change his stance and remained defiant, evoking sharp reactions from the BJP leaders who accused the Congress of being pro-Pakistan.

'Insulting Army is hallmark of Congress'

Hitting out at Chavan, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's revealed his "mindset" by not acting against party colleagues who make such comments.

BJP leader Brijmohan Agarwal said that Congress leaders have become mentally disturbed after facing defeat in multiple elections.

Union minister Giriraj Singh said that no one has the right to abuse the valour of the Army and that those who do so can never think of the nation's interest.

How Congress reacted

Congress distanced itself from Chavan's remarks and said that the party supports the government in its "fight against terrorism and Pakistan."

Pramod Tiwari, a Rajya Sabha MP, hailed the Army as a "world-conquering force".

Op Sindoor

Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor targeting the terrorist establishment in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May. The military action was India's armed forces' response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 innocent people.

India's military action prompted a counter-attack from Pakistan that launched a barrage of armed drones and missiles at Indian military bases and civilian areas. However, the Indian side thwarted the attempt that inflicted little to no damage.