BJP, Opposition debate over evidence of Indian Army's surgical strikes

A smash-mouth debate and low-grade demagoguery torpedoed days of rare political unity over the Army's surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads in PoK last week as opposition leaders on Tuesday demanded proof of the raid even as members of the ruling BJP ratcheted up the rhetoric.

KEJRIWAL CLARIFIES ON TWITTER, NIRUPAM CALLS OPERATION FAKE

While Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to clarify that he had sought evidence of the military action to counter Pakistani propaganda, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam termed the operation "fake" and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was using it for political benefits.

"BJP, I'm convinced that strikes took place," the AAP chief tweeted. "But intl media publishing Pak propaganda that no strike took place. Lets expose Pak propaganda."

Also read: Stop asking for evidence of surgical strikes: Put India above politics

Indian officials announced last week that soldiers had struck terrorists who were planning to infiltrate into the country from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, an operation that came in response to an attack on an army base in J&K's Uri sector last month, which left 19 personnel dead.

"Every Indian wants surgical strikes against Pakistan but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by BJP," tweeted Nirupam. "Politics over national interest."

BJP QUESTIONS PATRIOTISM OF THOSE SEEKING PROOF OF STRIKE

BJP leaders joined the political slugfest with jingoistic remarks and questions over the patriotism of those seeking proof and information about the strikes.

"Those leaders who say that if Pakistan is demanding evidence about the surgical strikes they should be given the evidence, such people should take the citizenship of Pakistan," union minister Uma Bharti told reporters in Pune.

CONGRESS DISTANCES ITSELF FROM NIRUPAM'S COMMENTS

Fearing a backlash, the Congress distanced itself from Nirupam's comments, days after its vice-president Rahul Gandhi hailed the Prime Minister for ordering the surgical strikes. Party chief Sonia Gandhi too had backed the government on the issue.

Also read: Evacuation of Punjab border towns post Uri has become a battle for votes

"Congress dissociates itself from Nirupam's remarks and has taken a serious note," said party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. "It's time for the government to expose Pakistan's malicious propaganda. The evidence should be made public." The BJP hit back at rival party leaders for raising doubts about the Army operation and playing into Pakistan's hands.

"Mr Kejriwal, you need to know, today you are the headline in Pakistani media," said union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. "Politics is separate but please don't do or say anything whereby our armed forces feel let down."

CENTRE DELIBERATING IF VIDEOS OF STRIKE CAN BE SHARED

Government sources said that not only were the surgical strikes part of a "flawless" operation, the "clinical decimation" of terrorists across the LoC was also recorded by Indian Army commandos with their helmetmounted cameras. The Centre is mulling if these videos and other evidences can be shared with top leaders of some political parties.

Doubts expressed in India over the raid have been lapped up by the Pakistan army which has been trying to prove that the surgical strikes never took place. The Pakistani media too highlighted how an Indian chief minister had raised questions.

The development came days after the Pakistan army took international journalists to the Line of Control to show that there were no telltale signs of an Indian strike.

CONGRESS CLAIMS STRIKES HAPPENED DURING ITS TENURE TOO

After the Modi government was hailed for its decisive action, the Congress went on the offensive claiming that such army action had taken place during its tenure as well.

Senior party leader Digvijaya Singh said the Modi government had got into a "chest-thumping mode", while former union minister P Chidamabaram stated that the armed forces had carried out such operations in the past too.

The Congress reaction came in response to attempts by BJP leaders to appropriate credit for the Army action.

"Indian troops were like Hanuman who did not quite know their prowess before the surgical strikes," defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said. "The surgical strikes gave our forces an idea of what they were capable of doing."

Posters have come up in various cities hailing Modi for his decisive leadership, with key state elections slated for next year. The BJP has also decided to "expose" those who have raised doubts about the operation, with the party vowing to take this campaign to every district in the country.

Also read:

Pakistan flies international media to LoC to prove denial of India's surgical strikes, and fails

Congress leadership condemns Sanjay Nirupam's comment, says no doubt about surgical strikes

BJP attacks Arvind Kejriwal, P Chidambaram for asking for proof of Army's surgical strikes