Jagdish Devda says his comments are being misrepresented as the Congress attacks him for them.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda ignited a political firestorm on Friday with comments made during a civil defense volunteers’ training session in Jabalpur. Devda stated, “We would like to thank the Prime Minister; the entire country, the country’s Army, its soldiers are bowing at his feet. The entire country is bowing at his feet,” referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in the retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The remarks come days after state minister Vijay Shah stirred controversy by calling Colonel Sofiya Qureshi the “sister of terrorists.”
Facing backlash, Devda clarified, “The Congress is misrepresenting my statement. I meant the people of the country bow to the Indian military for their tremendous work in Operation Sindoor. Those conspiring should face strict action. I said, ‘the nation bows at the feet of the Army’ because they protect us.” He accused the Congress of distorting his words for political gain.
The Congress seized the opportunity to attack the BJP-led state government. Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned the remarks on X, calling them “extremely shameful and unfortunate.” She added, “First, a Madhya Pradesh minister insulted women soldiers, and now the Deputy Chief Minister has grossly insulted the Army. The entire country is proud of the Army’s valor, but BJP leaders are insulting them while the party shields them.”
State Congress president Jitu Patwari announced statewide protests over Devda’s comments, following demonstrations against Shah’s remarks on Colonel Qureshi. During Friday’s protests, senior Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, were detained by police. Patwari criticized Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying, “Minister Vijay Shah calls a brave Army Colonel a terrorist’s sister, the Deputy Chief Minister claims the Army bows at Modi’s feet, and the CM responds with nonsense. The BJP is protecting both instead of acting.”
BJP spokesperson Ashish Aggarwal defended Devda, asserting, “The Congress has no respect for the Army. Devda rightly said the nation salutes the soldiers who responded to Pakistan.” In Delhi, Congress social media head Supriya Shrinate demanded Devda’s immediate sacking, stating, “If PM Modi does not act, we will assume this was said with his approval.”
The controversy, intensified by the recent Operation Sindoor and Shah’s remarks, has escalated tensions between the BJP and Congress, with the opposition leveraging the issue to challenge the ruling party’s stance on military respect.
