Haryana’s BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ramchandra Jangra has sparked controversy with his comments on the recent attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking to the media, Jangra said, “The women should have fought back against the terrorists, but they didn’t show the spirit of brave women (veerangana).” He added, “If the women had fought, fewer people would have died.” He even compared them to historical figures, saying, “Women should have shown the bravery of Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.”
When asked if women were expected to fight the heavily armed attackers, Jangra said, “Of course they should have. If instead of pleading with folded hands, they had fought, some terrorists would have been killed, and fewer tourists would have died.”
Jangra also linked his comments to the Agniveer military recruitment scheme, saying, “This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Agniveer scheme. If every tourist there had been an Agniveer, they would have surrounded the terrorists, and none of them would have escaped.”
When questioned about the fact that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack are still at large, Jangra replied, “The army has destroyed the terrorists’ hideouts and their handlers.”
Congress Lok Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda strongly criticized Jangra’s comments. On social media platform X, Hooda wrote, “The terrorists in Pahalgam destroyed the families of these women, and now this Haryana BJP MP Ramchandra Jangra is destroying their dignity. This is a deeply shameful remark.”
He added, “BJP continues to insult the families of martyrs. This must be stopped.”
