Congress Leader Charanjit Singh Channi Sparks Outrage Over Poonch Terror Attack Comments
Chandigarh, 6th May 2024: Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi stirred controversy on Sunday by labelling the Poonch terror attack, which resulted in the death of an IAF soldier and injuries to four others, as a “stunt” orchestrated to benefit the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.
Channi, a former Punjab chief minister and Congress candidate for the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency faced backlash for his statement. Union Minister Anurag Thakur demanded an apology from Channi for his derogatory remarks, accusing him of insulting soldiers.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned Channi’s statement, describing it as appalling and disrespectful towards soldiers.
Responding to questions regarding the attack on the Indian Air Force convoy in Poonch, Channi dismissed it as mere theatrics, alleging that such incidents are staged to bolster BJP’s electoral prospects. He accused the BJP of manipulating public sentiment for political gain.
Channi’s comments came in the wake of a terrorist ambush on an Indian Air Force convoy in Poonch district, resulting in casualties. Officials suspect the involvement of the same terrorist group responsible for a previous attack in Bufliaz last year.
Union Minister Thakur vehemently criticized Channi’s remarks, questioning whether the Congress would stoop to insulting soldiers to secure electoral victories. He called upon senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, to demand an apology from Channi.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also condemned Channi’s remarks, labelling them as shameful and disrespectful to the nation’s brave soldiers. He urged the Congress and its allies to disassociate themselves from Channi’s statement and demanded a public apology from him.
Similarly, BJP leader Sirsa condemned Channi’s characterization of the IAF soldier’s sacrifice as “stunt baazi,” asserting that such a mindset is not only appalling but also disrespectful to those who serve the nation. He criticized the Congress for undermining the sacrifices of soldiers while accusing Pakistan and Rahul Gandhi of mutual support.
