Even as India has acknowledged that one Indian Air Force pilot is in Pakistan’s captivity, BJP leaders remained silent on the issue and carried on with their political activities. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on Wednesday, 27 February, and a video of him was released by Pakistan.
Leaders of 21 Opposition parties met on Wednesday, 27 February, and issued a statement that said they stood with the armed forces and criticised the "leaders of the ruling party" for "blatant politicisation of the sacrifices of the armed forces."
While the entire nation and Twitterati buzzed with hashtags like #SaveAbhinandan and #BringBackAbhinandan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government received flak for their lukewarm response to the crisis, and for carrying on with their political activities.
Busy Launching Apps?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was launching the mobile app ‘Khelo India’ on Wednesday, before news of Abhinandan in Pakistan custody broke out. Opposition leaders and people lashed out at him for being “busy launching apps, election rallies and political events” when the entire country is fighting a crisis.
The BJP government’s silence over the issue of Abhinandan angered Twitterati. Where is Modi’s tweet on Abhinandan? Why aren’t any ministers talking of Abhinandan, some Twitter users asked.
Former CM of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah and the official Twitter handle handle of Congress criticised Modi for continuing with political activities while an Indian pilot is in Pakistan custody.
Actor Richa Chadha equated it to an “absentee landlord situation.” If everyone is away campaigning, who is negotiating the release of Abhinandan, she asked.
Twitter users compared him to Nero, the unpopular Roman emperor, who is said to have watched Rome burn as he merrily played the fiddle.
‘Ill-Timed’ Video Conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also criticised for holding an “ill-timed” video conference. The BJP’s official Twitter handle termed it as the world’s biggest video conference.
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the video conference.
Akhilesh tweeted, “When the entire nation is rising above politics and standing with the government, BJP is going to create a record of interacting with booth workers. Even BJP leaders are ashamed of this.”
Arvind Kejriwal said he was saddened by the act. “If the nation becomes strong, the booth will become strong,” he said.
Congress and Aam ami Party supporters protested against BJP’s hashtag #MeraBoothSabseMajboot with #MeraJawanSabseMajboot, on Twitter.
‘Using Blood And Sacrifice For Votes’
BJP President Amit Shah was on the receiving end on Twitterati’s wrath too as he used the air strikes to appeal for votes. At a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, Amit Shah said, “Who can give a mooh todh jawab (fitting reply to Pakistan?) Who can wipe out terrorism?”
This angered the Twitterati and some said, “People of India will never forgive them.”
Amit Shah’s speech came after the BJP repeatedly asked the Opposition to refrain from using Pulwama for political gains. Twitterati called out the double standards.
Was Balakot Air Strike Election Fodder For BJP?
Karnataka BJP Chief BS Yeddyurappa also landed in hot water after he said that India's air strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan has created a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and will help the party win over 22 of 28 seats in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha polls.
It is shameful to see BJP leaders making such statements for political momentum, said some Twitter users.
Thanks for proving that Balakot air strike is just election fodder for BJP, said activist Kavita Krishnan.
‘Terrible Optics’
The conduct of BJP leaders in the aftermath of Balakot is “terrible optics”, commented Twitterati.
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