BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra Apologises After Backlash Over ‘Veerangna’ Remark on Pahalgam Victims

Facing widespread outrage, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra issued a public apology on Sunday for his controversial remarks about the women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam terror attack. The MP said his comments had been “distorted” and insisted that he meant no disrespect, expressing regret to anyone hurt by his words.

“I do not see the women of my country as weak. We stand with the families who lost their loved ones in Pahalgam,” he said in a video message, adding, “If my words have hurt anyone, I apologise without hesitation.”

Mr Jangra’s earlier comment suggesting that the women should have shown the spirit of ‘veerangna’ (warrior women) sparked a political firestorm. At an event in Chandigarh commemorating Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar, he had suggested that the tourists attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 should have fought back and that the women lacked the spirit of bravery. The attack left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, TMC, and Samajwadi Party, condemned the remarks as insensitive and anti-women. The TMC posted on social media, “How dare BJP MP @rcjangrabjp say the women in Pahalgam lacked bravery? 26 people lost their lives, and he blames the women. This isn’t just insensitive, it’s vile and inhuman.”

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav went further, accusing the BJP of having a deep-rooted anti-women mindset. “Instead of honouring women, BJP leaders are shaming and blaming them,” he said.

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar also distanced the party from Mr Jangra’s statement, calling it “wrong” and “inappropriate.” He noted that the MP had apologised, and hoped the matter could now be put to rest.

Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Deepender Singh Hooda, speaking in Chandigarh, demanded accountability. “These statements dishonour the memory of the victims and disrespect their grieving families,” said Pilot. Hooda questioned why the State Women’s Commission had not taken any action yet.

Mr Jangra later tried to clarify his intention, saying he wanted to inspire the courage of icons like Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Lakshmi Bai. “We can never call our sisters weak… I only meant to ignite their inner bravery,” he said, urging critics not to politicise his comments.

However, this is not the only controversy around comments made following the Pahalgam attack. Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah also faced backlash and was forced to apologise after linking the religion of the terrorists to that of Col Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media on Operation Sindoor alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

With grief still fresh for the families affected by the terror attack, many believe the focus should remain on solidarity and sensitivity, not on divisive or careless remarks.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.