Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of cultural symbolism to name India’s recent military operation “Operation Sindoor” has stirred heated domestic controversy, with critics charging that he is politicizing military actions and exploiting religious imagery for electoral gain.
Operation Sindoor, launched May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, targeted terror camps along the Line of Control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened Operation Sindoor to Bengali tradition called Sindoor Khela and stated “From here in Bengal, on behalf of 140 crore Indians I declare Operation Sindoor is not over yet.” The Times of Indiaalitat +10; Hindustan Times 10 +6.
Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal strongly denounced Modi’s remarks as using religious symbolism to inflame nationalist fervor and raise nationalist fervor. She demanded a public debate between themselves relating to his use of’sindoor,’ an indicator of marital status used as a metaphor in military action, and military operations (The News International+1 Geo News+8 The Times of India +8)
Opposition leaders such as RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha and Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathorre cautioned Modi against taking sole credit for the operation, emphasizing its success due to cooperation among political parties, institutions, and especially the military.
Critics criticized Modi’s use of his image in promotional materials for Operation Sindoor, questioning its absence from actual soldiers’ pictures. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai strongly objected to using military actions for political gain by politicizing Operation Sindoor for political advantage. Hindustan Times +4 || The Times of India || The Wire
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The BJP’s plans to distribute “sindoor” and pamphlets as part of its public outreach campaign has caused further outrage, particularly after Indian National Lok Dal leader Sunaina Chautala expressed her doubts as to its motives, warning that women would respond appropriately in due time. The Times of India + The Wire.
Modi’s use of cultural symbolism during Operation Sindoor remains contentious; critics demand more emphasis be given to substantive national issues instead of symbolic gestures.