'Is This One Nation, One Husband Scheme?': Bhagwant Mann Attacks BJP Over Operation Sindoor

Bhagwant Mann referred to reports that the BJP would distribute Sindoor in households, saying, "Will you wear sindoor in Modi's name?" Is this "One Nation, One Husband" scheme?

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday sparked a row with his remarks on Operation Sindoor, accusing the BJP of turning sindoor into a joke and asking whether the campaign was a “one nation, one husband” scheme.

“BJP is seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor. These people have turned sindoor into a joke. They are sending sindoor to every home. Will you now apply sindoor in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi’s name?” Mann told reporters, when asked about the BJP’s campaign.

“Is this a ‘one nation, one husband’ scheme?” he said, taking a swipe at the ruling party. The Punjab CM was speaking to the media ahead of the bypoll in Ludhiana. The bypoll to Ludhiana West assembly seat in Punjab will take place on June 19 and the counting will be held on June 23. 

The BJP has launched a nationwide campaign spotlighting the Modi government’s success in Operation Sindoor, a counter-offensive launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Following the announcement, some reports claimed the party would send sindoor—vermilion powder—to households across the country.

The BJP strongly objected to Mann’s comments, saying the Punjab CM had crossed all limits.

BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal shared the video of Mann’s remarks on X and wrote, “Bhagwant Mann crosses all limits! Mocking Operation Sindoor, he shamelessly asks: ‘Will you wear sindoor in Modi’s name? Is this One Nation, One Husband?’”

Baliawal clarified that Operation Sindoor was a response to terrorists killing Hindus after checking their religion, noting that sindoor was used as a marker to identify women. He accused Mann of having “zero sensitivity” and criticised him for mocking the Indian Army, insulting Veer Naris, and turning sacred symbols into jokes.

"Let's set the record straight: There is NO BJP activity sending sindoor to every household. The name Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion -- sindoor was a marker they used to identify women. This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives, but how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that? A man who mocks the Indian Army, Insults Veer Naris, turns every sacred symbol into a joke. Such a person will never understand the value of sindoor, which carries sacrifice, love, and devotion," he said in the post.

Baliawal demanded that the Punjab CM resign and apologise to the nation.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also criticised Mann, calling his remarks “shameful”.

“Shameful! Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ridicules Operation Sindoor. Once again, the opposition shows its true face—disrespecting our armed forces and belittling a successful military operation. If this isn’t anti-India in spirit, then what is?” Bhandari said.