The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday sharply criticised BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra for his controversial remarks about women who lost their husbands in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Speaking at an event in Haryana’s Bhiwani to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, Jangra suggested that the women lacked the spirit of ‘veerangna’ (warrior women).
“Those women whose vermillion was wiped off lacked the spirit, enthusiasm, and courage of a true veerangna. That’s why they fell victim to bullets with folded hands,” Jangra was quoted saying, implying the victims did not resist the attack.
The BJP leader’s remarks sparked strong backlash, with the TMC calling them “insensitive” and “vile.” In a post on X, the party said, “How dare BJP MP @rcjangrabjp say the women in Pahalgam lacked bravery? 26 people lost their lives, and he blames the women? This isn’t just insensitive, it’s vile and inhuman.”
TMC further accused the BJP of being inherently misogynistic. “@BJP4India has mastered the art of degrading women. Misogyny isn’t a bug in their ideology, it’s the core,” the party alleged.
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TMC added, “And PM @narendramodi dares to talk about Naari Samman? Spare us the hypocrisy. Women are not your vote bank slogans.”
Senior TMC leader and West Bengal minister Sashi Panja echoed the outrage. “The BJP MP’s comment insults women and disrespects the victims and their families. We demand to know what action the BJP will take against such remarks,” she said.
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, remains one of the deadliest this year, leaving 26 civilians dead.
There has been no official response yet from the BJP regarding Jangra’s comments.