Facing criticism over ‘poll stunt’ remark, Channi questions Centre on Pulwama terror attack probe


PTI, May 6, 2024, 5:44 PM IST

Charanjit Singh Channi (PTI / File)

Chandigarh: Under fire over his ”poll stunt” remark, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said he was proud of the country’s soldiers but targeted the Centre over the 2019 Pulwama terror strike, saying the government could not ascertain who carried out the attack.

The former Punjab chief minister on Sunday called the Poonch terror attack in which an IAF soldier was killed a ”stunt” meant to make the BJP win the Lok Sabha elections.

The remark by the Congress candidate from Jalandhar seat triggered a row with Union minister Anurag Thakur asking the Congress leadership to seek an apology from Channi for insulting soldiers with this deplorable statement.

In a video message on Monday, Channi said, ”We are proud of our soldiers who protect our country.” Referring to his statement made on Sunday, Channi said ahead of the last parliamentary polls, 40 jawans were killed but the government could not yet ascertain who carried out the terror attack.

”Who was responsible for that attack,” he asked.

Forty Central Reserve Police Force troopers died in a terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019.

”Again the elections have come and again our jawans have been attacked,” said Channi as he was referring to the terror attack in Poonch.

”I want to ask the government who are those people who get such attacks done. Why don’t you bring them forward? Why does intelligence failure take place,” he asked.

Channi said Sunil Jakhar, who was earlier with the Congress and now with the BJP, had then even demanded the resignation of the prime minister over the death of 40 soldiers.

”Today again a soldier got martyred and I want to ask Jakhar ji what is your stand now,” he said.

”Why are our soldiers getting martyred and why is there intelligence failure of the government,” he asked.

In Jalandhar on Sunday while replying to a question on the attack on the Indian Air Force’s convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, Channi had said, ”’Yeh stuntbaazi ho rahi hai, hamle nahi ho rahe’ (These are all stunts, not attacks).” ”Whenever elections are near, such stunts are performed to make the BJP win. There is no truth in it,” he had said.

”The BJP knows how to play with people’s lives and bodies,” he had alleged.

One soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an IAF convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.

The officials suspect the involvement of the same group of terrorists who ambushed troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, leaving four soldiers dead and three injured.

Union minister Thakur strongly condemned Channi’s remarks and asked the Congress whether it will insult soldiers to win elections.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Drugs worth Rs 6 crore seized in Bengaluru, five arrested

Siddaramaiah urges Nirmala Sitharaman to address NABARD’s loan cuts to farmers

Karnataka HC denies anticipatory bail to Prajwal Revanna in sexual harassment case

Delhi court stays defamation case against CM Atishi

Awards don’t create value for independent films in India: Manoj Bajpayee

Public Alert: Cyber fraudsters impersonating traffic police to demand fines

UP: 25 people booked for attacking civic officials for encroachment removal

Related Articles More

Air pollution: SC flags Delhi govt’s failure to implement GRAP-4 curbs on entry of trucks

Baba Siddique murder: Man held from Akola, 26th arrest in case

SC notice to Gyanvapi mosque committee on plea for ASI survey of ‘shivling’ area

Delhi court stays defamation case against CM Atishi

Sambhal Jama Masjid row: Friday prayers held peacefully amid tight security

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Air pollution: SC flags Delhi govt’s failure to implement GRAP-4 curbs on entry of trucks

Drugs worth Rs 6 crore seized in Bengaluru, five arrested

Siddaramaiah urges Nirmala Sitharaman to address NABARD’s loan cuts to farmers

Satwik-Chirag enter semifinals, Lakshya loses to Antonsen in China Masters

BJP stages protest against Congress govt in Karnataka over Waqf properties row

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.