BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra apologises for controversial remarks on Pahalgam attack victims

NEW DELHI: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra faced backlash from opposition parties on Sunday for his controversial remarks about the Pahalgam terror attack victims. After claiming his comments were distorted, he issued an apology through a video message while opposition parties demanded his removal and Prime Minister Modi's apology.Jangra's remarks that the tourists in Pahalgam should have fought back against terrorists, and women who lost their husbands should have acted like 'veerangna' (warrior women). The comments were made during an event celebrating Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary.BJP leader and union minister Manohar Lal Khattar distanced the party from Jangra's comments, calling them wrong and inappropriate."He presented these in the wrong context. Those sisters who have lost their husbands, to say this about them is wrong and inappropriate," Khattar stated, adding that the matter should be closed since Jangra expressed regret.In his video message, Jangra attempted to clarify his position: "I do not treat women of my country weak in any manner. I believe they are brave and we only need to ignite the spirit of Ahliyabai and Jhansi ki Rani so that if such circumstances arise, like in Pahalgam, they can fight with the spirit of bravery."The Congress party linked Jangra's comments to other recent controversial statements by BJP leaders, including Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah and deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda.The Trinamool Congress expressed outrage on their X handle: "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."Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP, stating: "Instead of honouring women, insulting them, condemning them and exploiting and harassing them in every possible way is the real face of the BJP, which is both disgusting and extremely shameful. BJP is not a party but a swamp of anti-women mentality."Congress senior leader Sachin Pilot expressed sadness over BJP leaders using indecent language regarding Army officers and Pahalgam attack victims.Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda questioned why the State Women's Commission hadn't taken cognizance of these statements.Jangra had suggested that casualties would have been lower if the tourists had undergone Agniveer training. He also claimed the women lacked the spirit of warrior women.The terror attack in the meadows of Baisaran in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 resulted in 26 deaths, mostly tourists.The controversy also involved remarks by MP minister Vijay Shah, who had to apologize for comments linking terrorists' religion with Col Sofiya Qureshi.Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had briefed media alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri about Operation Sindoor.Jangra defended his statements saying they were being twisted for political purposes: "Our armed forces avenged the Pahalgam attack and taught Pakistan a lesson that it could not imagine. We can never call our sisters weak and I believe we only need to ignite the spirit of Jhansi ki Rani and Ahilyabai in them. Those who are making it a political issue, God give them 'sadbuddhi' (better sense). It only harms the country and society."