Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya launched a sharp attack on the BJP during a press conference, accusing the ruling party of exploiting the Indian Army’s valour and Hindu traditions for political gain during elections.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror incident and the Indian Army’s swift response, Bhattacharya said the entire nation salutes the armed forces, but expressed outrage over what he called the Prime Minister’s politicisation of military operations in his election speeches across Gujarat, Bengal, and Bihar.
“Our Constitution assigns the army the duty of protecting sovereignty, not becoming a tool for political propaganda. Even in 1971, when India split Pakistan into two, no political party used it for votes. Today, the PM uses operations like Sindoor to score electoral points,” Bhattacharya said.
He also condemned BJP leaders for making derogatory remarks about armed forces. He cited examples like a Madhya Pradesh minister’s comment targeting a female officer and Udhampur MLA Ranbir Pathania’s statement calling the Air Force “overhyped.” “No action has been taken. The BJP leadership remains silent,” he added.
Bhattacharya lashed out at the BJP’s “Sindoor Campaign,” calling it a mockery of Hindu customs. “Sindoor is a sacred symbol for married women. What kind of message are we sending when strangers hand out sindoor door-to-door for political symbolism? This is a distortion of Sanatani tradition,” he said.
Taking aim at BJP’s communal politics, he accused leaders like Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and UP CM Yogi Adityanath of publicly targeting Muslims. “The BJP fans religious flames for political profit. And when polls come, the PM suddenly remembers Muslim martyrs. It’s hypocrisy,” he said.
Bhattacharya also questioned Gujarat’s contribution to the armed forces. “Gujarat-based companies invest in defense manufacturing, but where are Gujarat’s martyrs?” he asked, warning against the dangerous mix of military pride and political campaigning.
On the misuse of infrastructure for optics, he criticized Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP leaders for riding on an unopened flyover in Ranchi. “What if something had happened? The project wasn’t even technically handed over. This is not bravado, it’s recklessness,” he said.
He wrapped up the press conference by slamming BJP’s use of investigative agencies for political targeting and reaffirmed JMM’s full-strength participation in the upcoming elections. “We have submitted our demands to the Finance Commission. The BJP can play politics—we are here to fight for Jharkhand,” he concluded.