Following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jagdish Devda praised PM Modi’s response, claiming the armed forces submit to his leadership. The statement comes amid rising political tension over military operations and has been slammed by Congress as a “grave insult” to the army’s autonomy.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi:
A fresh controversy has emerged in Madhya Pradesh following remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, who claimed the Indian military “bows at the feet” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and military veterans alike.
Mr. Devda made the comment during an address to civil defence volunteers, referencing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s retaliatory operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor. “We saw how innocent tourists were identified by religion, women separated, and men shot dead in front of their families. This country will not rest until justice is served,” he said.
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He went on to praise the Prime Minister’s response, adding, “Today, the entire nation and the military bow at the feet of Narendra Modi ji for the strong action he took.” Urging the audience to applaud, Mr. Devda signaled for a round of claps in support of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Yet another shameful statement from BJP minister Jagdish Devda, Modi’s close confidant: claiming the Indian Army “bows” to Modi insults brave soldiers and their sacrifice.
The Army serves the Constitution, not a leader’s ego. Such rhetoric poisons democracy and dishonors service pic.twitter.com/lRI9zQ1tlf
— Bihar Congress Sevadal (@SevadalBR) May 16, 2025
The remarks come just days after another BJP leader from the state, Vijay Shah, faced legal backlash for controversial comments perceived as derogatory toward Colonel Sofiya Qureshi — a senior Indian Army officer and prominent face of India’s counterterror operations. The Supreme Court ordered Shah to issue a public apology.
In response to Mr. Devda’s statement, the Congress party has condemned what it called a “grave insult” to the dignity and autonomy of the armed forces.
“The Indian Army protects the nation — not the ego of politicians,” the Indian Youth Congress posted on X (formerly Twitter). “To say that our military bows before any political leader is an affront to their sacrifice and honour.”
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Congress social media chairperson Supriya Shrinate also took to X, demanding the BJP leadership take action. “This is a shameful and dangerous mindset. Modi ji, this is beyond apology — sack him immediately,” she wrote in Hindi.
As Operation Sindoor continues to remain a high-profile military and diplomatic effort, political rhetoric around it has increasingly become a flashpoint in the run-up to the general elections.
