BJP’s Sharp Retort to Channi: ‘Go to Pakistan with Rahul Gandhi’ Over Surgical Strike Proof Demand

A Political Firestorm Ignites
Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi’s demand for proof of India’s surgical strikes sparked a fierce political controversy, drawing a biting response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a Punjab rally, Channi questioned the evidence behind the 2016 Uri and 2019 Balakot strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan. The BJP swiftly retaliated, with leaders like Union Minister Anurag Thakur mockingly suggesting Channi “go to Pakistan with Rahul Gandhi” to verify the operations. The retort, trending on social media, has deepened the BJP-Congress rift amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions post the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Channi’s Provocative Demand

Channi, a former Punjab Chief Minister, claimed the surgical strikes were “political stunts” and demanded “credible proof” like videos or official reports, citing public skepticism. His remarks, made during a campaign for the 2025 Punjab by-elections, aimed to critique the BJP’s national security narrative. However, they backfired, with the BJP accusing him of disrespecting the Indian Army’s sacrifices. The timing, coinciding with Pakistan’s ninth consecutive day of ceasefire violations along the LoC, amplified the BJP’s outrage, framing Channi’s comments as aiding Pakistan’s propaganda.

BJP’s Aggressive Counterattack

The BJP’s response was swift and coordinated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Haryana, indirectly slammed Congress for questioning the armed forces’ valor. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya amplified Thakur’s “go to Pakistan” jibe on X, alleging Congress’s “anti-national” stance. The party released archival footage and DGMO statements from 2016 and 2019 to counter Channi’s claims, emphasizing the strikes’ success in neutralizing terror infrastructure. The BJP also linked Channi’s remarks to Rahul Gandhi’s past skepticism, accusing Congress of a pattern of undermining India’s security.

Escalating Political Tensions

The controversy has polarized public opinion, with BJP supporters rallying behind the “surgical strike heroes” and Congress defending Channi’s right to question. As India navigates Pakistan’s provocations, the spat risks derailing national unity. The BJP’s sharp rhetoric aims to consolidate its patriotic image, while Congress faces pressure to clarify its stance, highlighting the fraught intersection of politics and national security.