The question posed by Congressman Anto Antony Stokes is, “What role did Pakistan play in the Pulwama blast?” BJP responds angrily

In Kerala, Congress MP Anto Antony stirred up controversy when he made grave accusations against the BJP, saying that the party won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by “exploiting the sacrifices of jawans,” those who died while performing their duties on February 14 in the Pulwama terror attacks. The BJP reacted sharply to Antony’s apparent suggestion that Pakistan was not involved in the Pulwama incident, demanding that the Congress MP, who had been re-filed from the Pathanamthitta seat for suspected sedition, be charged with sedition.

What was said by Antony?
While criticizing the Union government and accusing them of using the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act as an election trump card this time, Antony questioned, “Did they not win the last elections by leveraging the sacrifice of the 42 jawans who were stationed in an area where there is 40% oxygen deficiency, enduring extreme climatic conditions while guarding the nation?”

This occasion concerns the CAA. How was the last time? Pulwama was the name. What was Pulwama, anyway? Wasn’t it our 42 jawans’ sacrifice?” he questioned.

On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber in a car attacked a convoy of cars carrying CRPF soldiers on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Lethapora in the Pulwama area of Jammu and Kashmir. This incident is known as the Pulwama attack. Not 42, as the Congress MP claimed, but 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in the incident.

Prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s March 17 visit to the constituency to solicit votes for Anil Antony, the opponent of Anto Antony, he made these statements.

The Pathanamthitta MP reacted aggressively when a reporter brought up the subject of Pakistan’s possible participation in the Pulwama assault, asking, “What involvement did Pakistan have in the Pulwama blast?”

The Congress MP used an interview with then-Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik, who was appointed by the BJP, to support his claim that army convoys of that length are typically transported by helicopter rather than by road in areas rife with militancy. Malik made this statement in response to a question about the Pulwama terror attack.

According to Antony’s allegation, Malik had said that the jawans were supposed to be transferred by helicopter, but they were “purposely” told to go by road across the area where the explosion occurred.

BJP responds angrily
The Congress MP’s comments were denounced by BJP State President K. Surendran, who said that by downplaying Pakistan’s involvement in the Pulwama terror incident, he had humiliated the nation.

According to Surendran, Antony ought to be detained and accused of sedition.

“Antony needs to say who he made such a disparaging remark for. K. Surendran said that this comment would demoralize the troops and show contempt for the warriors who gave their lives in defense of the country.

He said that he thought the patriotic citizens of Pathanamthitta would use their ballots to show their disapproval of Antony’s pro-Pakistani position.