New Delhi— The brave women of ‘Operation Sindoor’ – Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh – recently became symbols of national pride. However, this pride has now been clouded by controversy. A contentious remark by senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav has sparked a debate over the Indian Army’s identity beyond caste and religion. His statement not only stirred political waters but also struck at the very foundation of the armed forces, which stand firmly on the principle of “Nation Above All.”
During a speech in Moradabad, Ram Gopal Yadav referred to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as a “Jatav from Haryana,” using caste-indicative language. He also alleged that the BJP remained silent because they mistook her for a Rajput, while they targeted Colonel Sofia Qureshi only because she is a Muslim.
Yadav didn't stop there. He labeled Operation Sindoor as a “war fought by PDA (Backward Classes, Dalits, and Minorities),” accusing the BJP of trying to hijack the credit for political gain.
Yadav’s statement received sharp criticism from BJP leaders and others across the political spectrum:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: “The military uniform is not to be seen through a casteist lens. Soldiers uphold the duty to the nation, not to caste or religion.”
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya: “The only religion of the army is the defense of the nation. Casteist remarks reflect a petty mindset.”
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak: “Insulting a brave woman officer based on her caste reveals the anti-women and vile mentality of the Samajwadi Party.”
Mayawati, BSP Chief: “Dividing the army on the basis of caste or religion is shameful. Both BJP and SP have erred on this issue.”
Sanjay Singh, AAP Leader: “Insulting the military in any form is unacceptable. The behavior of BJP’s troll army is equally condemnable.”
Samajwadi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav, who recently drew flak for his caste-related comment on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, has issued a clarification. In a post on social media platform X, Yadav expressed surprise that the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh reacted without hearing his full statement.
“I’m astonished that a Chief Minister, under whose nose unimaginable atrocities are being committed against minorities, Dalits, and backward communities, chose to comment on my statement without even listening to it in its entirety,” Yadav wrote.
In his post on Friday, Yadav elaborated:
“In several North Indian states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, people are being falsely implicated in cases based on their religion, caste, and class. Fake encounters are carried out, gangster charges are invoked, and properties are seized—all on the basis of identity. Women are harassed, and government officials are transferred or posted according to their caste and religion. During a recent event, I said that Colonel Sofia was targeted because her name revealed her religion. Foreign Secretary Mistry was also abused. Had the same trolls known that Vyomika Singh is a Jatav and Air Marshal Awadhesh Bharti is a Yadav, they would have hurled abuses at them as well.”
He further questioned:
“I find it troubling that the Chief Minister, despite the rampant oppression of minorities, Dalits, and backward communities in his state, reacted without verifying my full remarks. As for the media channels that have metaphorically ‘occupied Islamabad and Rawalpindi,’ I have no complaints—because they only serve the ruling party, and no one trusts them anymore.”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a seasoned pilot in the Indian Air Force with over 2,500 flying hours. She has operated Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in some of the country’s most difficult mountain terrains. In 2020, she led a challenging rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh.
Her dream began in the sixth grade when she learned that her name meant “one who flies in the sky.” That inspiration eventually led her to the Indian Air Force. Today, she stands as a role model for millions of girls across India.
Ram Gopal Yadav questioned why the BJP is taking credit for the operation if it was executed by the armed forces. He asked whether any BJP leaders or their children were on the battlefield.
This raises a vital question: Can we justify politicizing the valor of our soldiers by dividing their bravery along caste and religious lines for political mileage?
In India, the armed forces have always been seen as apolitical and secular. Regardless of caste or religion, soldiers fight only for the tricolor. Therefore, political parties viewing them through a vote-bank lens is not just an insult to the army but also a threat to national unity.
The general sentiment among citizens is that the army is the soul of the nation—not a political pawn. It is now up to the Indian public to decide: should we celebrate the courage of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi, or tolerate those political voices that reduce their valor to caste and religion?
The nation must choose whether to honor the bravery of its defenders or allow divisive politics to fracture its unity.
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