New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Wednesday raised sharp questions in the Rajya Sabha over the government’s naming of “Operation Sindoor”, India's retaliatory action following the recent Pahalgam terror attack , arguing that the title was insensitive to the women widowed in the attack.

Participating in a debate on the incident, the veteran actor and politician said, “Why call it Operation Sindoor when many women lost their sindoor (a traditional symbol of marriage)?” She added that such a name appeared tone-deaf given the suffering of the victims’ families.

Bachchan, known for her forthrightness and strong emotional appeals, paid tributes to the families of the deceased and questioned the effectiveness of the government’s promises following the abrogation of Article 370.

“It feels strange ,what happened seems like fiction. People came, killed so many, and nothing happened. It’s really unreal,” she said. Referring to the government’s earlier claims that the end of Article 370 would lead to the end of terrorism, she remarked, “Tourists went there believing those assurances. You have destroyed the faith and trust of people you made promises to. Those families will never forgive you.”

Amid interruptions from other members during her speech, Bachchan was seen objecting to the disruptions, even telling Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who was seated next to her, “don’t control me”. When advised by the Chair not to be distracted, she retorted, “I have sharp ears.”

She also questioned the value of military capability without human sensitivity: “The Defence Minister says we are self-reliant and manufacturing arms... But what’s the point when we couldn’t even save 25-26 people? Bombs won’t help. Basic humanity is needed.”

Calling for humility in leadership, she said, “No conflict can be resolved through violence alone. One area where you are particularly lacking is humility.”

Quoting Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, she added, “The weaker the argument, the more aggressive the body language.”

In her closing remarks, Bachchan appealed to the government to show compassion: “Be humble, be kind. Protect those who gave you power, who trusted you to safeguard them. Please, say sorry.”

The comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and growing opposition criticism following the Pahalgam attack. 

 

 

 

 

 

PTI inputs