Swami Prasad Maurya Questions Operation Sindoor; Consultants Say UP Chief Seeks Relevance – News18

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The previous UP minister, who just lately launched a brand new political outfit, additionally accused the Modi authorities on the Centre of deceptive the nation beneath the guise of nationalism
Maurya alleged that the federal government had failed to offer any credible proof of neutralising terrorists. File pic/PTI
Swami Prasad Maurya, who just lately launched a brand new political outfit, has sparked an argument as soon as once more by lashing out at India’s current navy marketing campaign towards Pakistan, Operation Sindoor. Throughout his go to to Ayodhya, the previous Uttar Pradesh cupboard minister in each the BJP and BSP governments not solely questioned the authenticity of the operation but additionally accused the Narendra Modi authorities on the Centre of deceptive the nation beneath the guise of nationalism. Nevertheless, political specialists known as Maurya’s remarks a part of a calculated technique to rebrand himself as a fierce anti-establishment voice in UP.
Whereas addressing the media and a gathering of social gathering employees, Maurya claimed that the “much-publicised” navy offensive towards terror camps in Pakistan was nothing however a “political stunt” designed to distract the general public and acquire sympathy forward of essential political developments.
“When the federal government introduced Operation Sindoor, we believed it was a decisive strike towards terrorism. However inside 24 hours, the so-called operation fizzled out. It was all sound and fury, signifying nothing,” he stated.
Maurya alleged that the federal government had failed to offer any credible proof of neutralising terrorists. “If no terrorist was killed, then towards whom was this operation carried out? The federal government owes the nation an evidence,” he stated. He went additional, claiming that Indian ladies have been emotionally manipulated within the identify of the sacred image ‘sindoor’, and that their sentiments have been disrespected beneath the pretext of nationwide honour.
‘Controversial feedback geared toward brand-building’
Based on Dr Shashikant Pandey, head of the division of political science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar College, Lucknow, Swami Prasad Maurya’s scathing assault on Operation Sindoor is a calculated transfer geared toward reclaiming relevance in Uttar Pradesh’s shifting political panorama.
“Maurya has lengthy been identified for courting controversy to remain within the headlines,” Pandey stated. He defined that after parting methods with main events just like the BJP and SP, Maurya is attempting to reposition himself as a vocal anti-establishment chief by focusing on emotionally charged points.
Pandey famous that such remarks are typical of Maurya’s type—provocative, polarising, and sometimes timed for max political mileage. “He is aware of that questioning navy operations garners media consideration and triggers sharp reactions, which helps him join with a selected voter base that feels alienated by the mainstream narrative,” Pandey added. “His feedback, whereas controversial, serve the aim of brand-building in an already polarised polity.”
Apart from, Maurya launched a scathing assault on the BJP, saying, “This authorities is fooling sisters and moms of the nation. Operation Sindoor was a part of a scripted propaganda marketing campaign. The BJP’s true character—deception and distraction—is being uncovered. We are going to take this fact to the individuals.”
Maurya additionally credited the Indian voters for stopping the BJP from reaching its formidable purpose of 400 Lok Sabha seats in 2024. “Had they crossed 400, they might have tampered with the Structure. Due to the vigilance of the individuals, the BJP is now compelled to depend on allies,” he added.
He additionally questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal for One Nation One Election, Maurya countered it by demanding One Nation One Schooling. “If we really wish to unite India, we should first guarantee equal training for all. There must be no distinction in what a village youngster and a metropolis youngster study. Schooling must be the identical for wealthy and poor, rural and concrete alike,” he stated, calling this the actual type of nation-building.
‘Staged confrontation’
Maurya’s assault didn’t cease in Ayodhya. A day earlier, in Sultanpur, he reiterated his stand, calling Operation Sindoor a “mockery” and suggesting it may very well be a “staged confrontation”. He expressed doubt over the sudden declaration of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan simply 4 days after the operation started. “If it was really a warfare on terror, why was it known as off so rapidly? This seems like a set match,” he alleged.
He claimed that the deaths of courageous Indian troopers and civilians had been trivialised. “Our martyrs’ sacrifices have been mocked. It appears your complete episode was crafted for reasonable publicity. The federal government insulted the sindoor of our sisters,” he stated.
What Indian forces stated on Operation Sindoor
Based on the Indian Military, Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror assault in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. On Could 7, India carried out precision airstrikes on 9 terror camps positioned in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation reportedly eradicated over 100 terrorists, together with high-profile operatives like Yousuf Azhar—mastermind of the 1999 IC-814 flight hijacking—and Abdul Malik Rauf, linked to the 2019 Pulwama assault.
Indian forces focused terror camps in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Sialkot, Muridke, and Bahawalpur. Pakistan military officers attended the funerals of these killed, confirming vital casualties. Within the ensuing battle, Pakistani media and officers, together with PM Shehbaz Sharif, acknowledged the strikes, with Sharif admitting that India’s ballistic missiles hit key installations, together with the Noor Khan airbase. On Could 18, the Indian Military launched new footage displaying the destruction of Pakistani posts that had violated the ceasefire. The navy hailed the operation as a robust assertion towards cross-border terrorism.
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