**BJP’s ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’ Draws Criticism from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann**
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly politicizing sacred Indian traditions through its ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’ initiative. During a campaign for the upcoming Ludhiana West Assembly bypolls, Mann accused the BJP of using the tradition of sindoor (vermilion) for electoral advantage, stating, “What can we do about it? You are asking for votes in the name of sindoor. They have made a mockery of sindoor.”
Mann’s comments were in response to reports that BJP workers were distributing sindoor to households as part of a campaign following the success of Operation Sindoor. The BJP has denied any involvement in such a drive. “They are saying they will send sindoor to every household,” Mann remarked. He provocatively questioned, “If sindoor is sent to your home, will you put sindoor in Modi’s name? Is ‘One Nation, One Husband’ your new scheme?”
This criticism echoed the sentiments of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, who labeled the alleged campaign a “cheap political stunt.” Singh took to social media, questioning Prime Minister Modi’s understanding of the significance of sindoor, which in Indian culture symbolizes a woman’s devotion to her husband’s long life and well-being. He remarked, “In Indian culture, women apply sindoor as a symbol of their husband’s long life, respect, and well-being. It reflects pride, dignity, and deep emotional meaning.”
Singh further suggested that the campaign implied a symbolic acceptance of Prime Minister Modi as a husband to women across the nation, linking it to the government’s previous initiatives like ‘One Nation, One Election’ and ‘One Nation, One Leader.’
The political discourse surrounding this issue has gained traction, with the Kerala Congress unit joining the fray by sharing a satirical poster of PM Modi, captioned “One Nation, One Husband.” This poster also referenced a reported month-long sindoor outreach campaign that began on June 9, where BJP MPs are expected to walk significant distances to promote it.
In response, the BJP’s Karnataka unit criticized the Congress party on social media, accusing them of insulting Hindus while blaming electronic voting machines for electoral outcomes.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the bypolls, the implications of such campaigns and their reception among voters remain to be seen.
**FAQ**
**What is the ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’?**
The ‘Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan’ is an alleged initiative by the BJP to distribute sindoor to households, which has been criticized by political opponents for politicizing a sacred tradition.
