Opposition Slams Govt for ‘Misleading Nation’ Over Operation Sindoor
A political firestorm has erupted after Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan acknowledged initial setbacks during Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border military response following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. While General Chauhan firmly stated that the operation ultimately achieved all its objectives, the opposition seized upon his remarks, accusing the Modi government of suppressing crucial information and misleading the public.
General Chauhan had stated, “We did lose some troops. But at the same time, I would like to say that we achieved all our military objectives. We also ensured that Pakistan’s military and its establishment felt the cost of supporting terrorism.”
Opposition parties were quick to pounce on the comments. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sharply criticised the government, questioning why the Prime Minister and Defence Minister remained silent on the matter. “Why did the Defence Minister not inform the Parliament or the nation? Why were the citizens kept in the dark?” he asked, adding that “despite the opposition repeatedly asking questions, the Modi government chose to stay mum.”
Kharge further alleged, “If the CDS accepts there were losses, it means Modi ji tried to mislead the country. This is unacceptable.” He insisted that citizens deserved transparency, especially when the lives of Indian soldiers were at stake.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also launched a scathing attack. “So now that the Chief of Defence Staff has admitted to losses during Operation Sindoor, it is time to ask – who is misleading the nation?”
CDS Remarks Spark Transparency Debate
General Chauhan’s acknowledgment of Indian casualties has reignited an old debate about government accountability and transparency during national security operations. The opposition claims that despite their demands for a statement in Parliament, they were repeatedly stonewalled.
This is not the first time the opposition has accused the government of opaque communication on national security matters. The criticism intensified after India’s retaliatory operations against Pakistan, with many in Parliament demanding a detailed official briefing—a demand that remained unfulfilled.
Operation Sindoor and the Cost of Secrecy
The government has so far avoided addressing the exact figures or strategic details of Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the gruesome Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of several Indian pilgrims. The CDS’s recent comments appear to have validated what many critics had long suspected: that the cost of the operation was higher than publicly admitted.
While the government maintains that national security necessitates discretion, the opposition insists that silence amounts to misinformation, especially when juxtaposed against the public’s right to know the truth about India’s military actions and their consequences.
The current row highlights the ongoing tension between the need for operational secrecy and democratic accountability, with Operation Sindoor now becoming not just a military event, but a political flashpoint.
