'One nation, one husband': Punjab CM Mann's dig at BJP over sindoor campaign draws flak

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday mocked the BJP for distributing ‘sindoor’ (vermilion) in Ludhiana to mark the success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, asking if the saffron party had now started “one nation, one husband” scheme.

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Mann was replying to a question about the BJP’s campaign for the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll, which is scheduled for June 19. “If they distribute ‘sindoor’, which man will ask his wife to start using the ‘sindoor’ sent by Modi? I want to ask whether the BJP has started ‘one nation, one husband’ scheme?” he said.

Later, AAP spokesperson, Neel Garg, taking off from where Bhagwant Mann had left, said “The right to give sindoor to a woman is only with the husband, not with any political party. Has the BJP now got right over the sindoor of the women?” he asked.

His comments drew sharp criticism from various leaders, with BJP’s Pritpal Singh Balliawal called it “shameful”.

“He is mocking Operation Sindoor. The BJP isn’t sending ‘sindoor’ to every household. Operation Sindoor was named so because terrorists killed Hindu tourists after checking their religion — they identified victims through the ‘sindoor’ on their wife’s forehead. The operation was about terrorism, martyrdom and the protection of Indian lives. A man who mocks the Army, insults veer naris and turns every sacred symbol into a joke will never understand the value of ‘sindoor’. It signifies sacrifice, love and devotion,” he said.