<p>The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has strongly <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/watch-mumbai-woman-tells-maharashtra-minister-get-out-youre-causing-traffic-jam-during-bjp-protes-23626941" rel="nofollow">criticised Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan</a> and demanded his immediate removal from the state Cabinet and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported IANS.</p>
<p>The Congress has accused Mahajan of making &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; remarks and of insulting the Indian Armed Forces during a recent visit to Punjab.</p>
<h2>What triggered the controversy?</h2>
<p>The issue began after Mahajan attended the 42nd anniversary event of Operation Blue Star on June 6 at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Chowk Mehta, Amritsar.</p>
<p>He attended the event as a representative of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.</p>
<p>During the event, Mahajan referred to June 6 as a &ldquo;kaala din&rdquo; (black day) and strongly criticised the 1984 military operation carried out at the Golden Temple. He also criticised then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for ordering the Army action, as per the news agency reports.</p>
<h2>Congress reaction: &lsquo;Anti-national remarks&rsquo;</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-congress-chief-harshwardhan-sapkal-slams-bjp-claims-south-india-rejected-its-ideology-23628827" rel="nofollow">Reacting sharply, MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal said</a> Mahajan&rsquo;s statements were irresponsible and against national interest.</p>
<p>He said, &ldquo;by questioning Operation Blue Star, he has undermined India&rsquo;s fight against terrorism.&rdquo; Sapkal further demanded Mahajan&rsquo;s removal from both the Cabinet and the BJP, calling his position unacceptable.</p>
<p>While defending Operation Blue Star, Sapkal said that it was a necessary military action aimed at protecting India&rsquo;s unity and fighting armed separatists, reported the news agency.</p>
<p>He said the operation was not against any religion but against extremist forces. He also highlighted that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took the decision despite knowing the risks. Sapkal added that Indira Gandhi was later assassinated by Khalistani extremists and Maharashtra officer General Arun Kumar Vaidya, who was involved in the operation, was also killed by terrorists.</p>
<h2>BJP leadership questioned</h2>
<p>Sapkal also questioned Mahajan&rsquo;s comparison of Operation Blue Star with historical invasions such as those by Ahmad Shah Abdali. He further said Mahajan&rsquo;s remarks indirectly insulted security officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who was also involved in related operations, as per reports.</p>
<p>He asked, &ldquo;Will Mahajan now condemn Ajit Doval&rsquo;s role as well?&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Demand for clarification from top leaders</h2>
<p>The Congress leader has now asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to clarify whether they support Mahajan&rsquo;s statements, reported the news agency.</p>
<p>He said if they do not agree with Mahajan, they should publicly condemn his remarks and apologise to the armed forces.</p>
<h2>Congress alleges political motive</h2>
<p>Sapkal concluded by accusing the BJP of using such statements for political gain and compromising national interest.</p>
<p>He said<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/girish-mahajan-admits-traffic-chaos-during-bjp-rally-in-worli-calls-womans-language-improper-23626986" rel="nofollow"> Mahajan must apologise</a> to the nation and the armed forces, and added that the BJP leadership must take responsibility for the controversy.</p>
<p><strong>(With IANS Inputs)</strong></p>

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