Modi links Operation Sindoor to cultural symbolism, faces backlash

KARACHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that Operation Sindoor is “not yet over”, sparking renewed political controversy at home and sharpening rhetoric across the region.

Speaking at a rally in West Bengal on Thursday, the Indian prime minister addressed Pakistan and said the country “should understand that we have entered your house and killed you three times” -- referring to past military operations widely interpreted as the 2016 Uri surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and the most recent Operation Sindoor launched on May 7.

Portraying Operation Sindoor as a national mission backed by “140 crore Indians”, he claimed Indian forces destroyed terror infrastructure across the Line of Control in an operation that “Pakistan never thought of.”

“Now that I am standing on the sacred land of ‘Sindoor Khela’, it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism Operation Sindoor…. Terrorists had dared to wipe out sindoor of our sisters, but our forces made them realise the strength of sindoor. From this land of Bengal, I declare on behalf of 140 crore Indians that Operation Sindoor is not yet over”, Modi told the crowd, linking the military campaign with Bengal’s cultural traditions.

Critics within India, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have condemned Modi for exploiting military operations for political gain. In a sharp rebuttal, Banerjee accused the Indian PM of playing “political holi” with a military operation’s branding and using religious symbolism to stoke nationalist fervour.

“Operation Sindoor [as a] name was given with a political goal. But I won’t say anything about this. When all opposition leaders are shouting hoarse for the country abroad, at that time the prime minister has come to play political holi – this does not behove the prime minister”, Banerjee said at a press conference.

She also criticised Modi’s use of gendered religious imagery. “You are spreading garbage of lies… PM Modi is not the husband of anybody; why aren’t you giving sindoor to your Mrs first?” she said, attacking the symbolic invocation of sindoor as a tool of state propaganda. She added, “Sindoor cannot be sold like this. Sindoor is a matter of self-respect”.

Modi’s rally speech also targeted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, accusing it of “violence, corruption and lawlessness”, and citing recent communal clashes in Murshidabad and Malda, along with a multi-crore teacher recruitment scam.

Banerjee has defended her administration and accused Modi of divisive politics. “He wants to divide and rule. He does divisive politics”, she said, adding that while opposition leaders are representing India abroad and “defending the country like anything”, the prime minister is “criticising the government… and politicising things like the leader of the BJP Jumla Party.”

She further challenged Modi to an early election in the state, saying, “I challenge them. If they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge.”

On the question of accountability for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, Banerjee asked: “Has anyone seen the terrorists who snatched the sindoor of the women who were victims in Pahalgam? Has he caught them?”

She also accused Modi of avoiding tough international questions, particularly referring to US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating the May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan: “On hearing the word America, he becomes silent.”

Banerjee also challenged Modi to a face-to-face televised debate. “If you are so brave, then come for a press conference on television. We will have a direct fight on any subject you want. You can bring your teleprompters too if you want”, she said, taking a dig at Modi’s reluctance to engage in unscripted public exchanges.