Operation Sindoor: The Reality Behind the Political Posturing

The Indian government's use of women officers to project a secular and professional image has been marred by communal and paternalistic remarks, highlighting the gap between optics and reality.

Operation SindoorWomen In MilitaryCommunal PoliticsOnline AbusePaternalismReal Estate NewsMay 18, 2025

Operation Sindoor: The Reality Behind the Political Posturing

Real Estate News:On May 7, the Indian government fielded two women military officers to brief the press about the strikes carried out in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. One of them was Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a Muslim officer. For the international media watching India, the government’s messaging was clear: unlike Pakistan, India is a secular democracy with a professional army. But within a week, this carefully crafted projection began to unravel. Madhya Pradesh minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kunwar Vijay Shah made crass and communal remarks, referring to Qureshi without naming her. He said, “Jinhone hamare betiyon ke sindoor uchala… humne unhi ki behen ko hamare jahaj mein bhej kar aise ki taisi karvai.” The ones who wiped off the sindoor of our sisters, Modi ji sent their own sister in our plane to teach them a lesson. Shah’s remarks drew outrage, criticism, and an FIR. His apology was revealing: “Sister Sofia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion,” he told The Indian Express. “She is more respected than our own sister.” This paternalistic response only highlighted the underlying issues. The paternalism isn’t limited to Shah. In his speech on May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Operation Sindoor, code-named after the vermillion mark that is a symbol of marriage for Hindu women, represents the emotions of Indians. “I dedicate Operation Sindoor to every mother, sister, and daughter,” he said. Now every terrorist knows the consequences of “removing the sindoor from the foreheads of our mothers and daughters,” he added. In the ideological framework of the Hindu Right, only certain women are seen as worth protecting or celebrating: the behen who lost her sindoor and the behen who avenged it. Women who express opinions different from the establishment narrative are not valued. Online abuse against women is rampant, and this fortnight, the targets included the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Himanshi Narwal, the widow of Naval officer Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam attack. War-mongers, disappointed at the announcement of a ceasefire, directed their ire at the foreign secretary by targeting his daughter Didon for writing an article in The Wire and providing legal assistance to Rohingya refugees in Myanmar. Himanshi Narwal, despite being a “sister who lost her sindoor,” was subjected to sexual trolling because she called for communal harmony and peace. The Haryana Women’s Commission has summoned Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad for a Facebook post pointing out the irony of Hindutva commentators praising Qureshi while Indian Muslims face mob lynchings, demolitions, and persecution for their religious identity. Two things are evident. First, the official silence on Misri and Narwal sends the message that the trolling and online abuse come with tacit approval. This covert sanction allows online mobs to police the narrative by viciously attacking detractors and critics. Second, it is clear that the ruling party invokes gender and women solely to further its narrative. Ideologically, Hindutva is intolerant of the religious pluralism that was displayed at the May 7 press conference. It was bound to come apart. Thirty years ago, scholar Amrita Basu had coined the term “feminism inverted” based on her research on women’s political activism in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Basu contended that the BJP was accommodating of women and even tolerated a vocabulary of women’s empowerment as long as it served its “electorally driven communal strategy.” The events of the past two weeks have confirmed this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Operation Sindoor? A: Operation Sindoor is a military operation carried out by India against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was code-named after the vermillion mark that is a symbol of marriage for Hindu women. Q: Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi? A: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a Muslim military officer who was fielded by the Indian government to brief the press about the strikes carried out in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Q: What did Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah say about Colonel Qureshi? A: Kunwar Vijay Shah made communal and crass remarks, referring to Colonel Qureshi without naming her, and suggesting that she was sent to teach terrorists a lesson. Q: What is the significance of the sindoor in Hindu culture? A: The sindoor, a vermillion mark, is a symbol of marriage for Hindu women and holds significant cultural and religious importance. Q: How did the Indian government respond to the online abuse of women like Himanshi Narwal and Didon Misri? A: The Indian government remained silent on the online abuse of women like Himanshi Narwal and Didon Misri, which sent a message of tacit approval to online mobs.

Answer not available

Tags:

Related News Articles

Real Estate Pune

Certus Capital Invests Rs 150 Crore in Two MMR Real Estate Projects

Certus Capital, a prominent investment firm, has committed Rs 150 crore to two new real estate projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The company has a strong track record of financing projects in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai.

October 31, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Pune

Pune Airport Gets Boost: IAF Approves 13 Acres for Runway Extension, 8 New Parking Bays Planned

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has given the green light for the acquisition of 13 additional acres of land to extend the runway at Pune Airport. This move will pave the way for international flights and improve airport capacity.

October 14, 2024

Read Article

real estate news

Lodha Group Q2FY25: Net Profit Soars 108% to Rs 423.1 Cr, Revenue Grows 53%

Real estate developer Macrotech Developers, also known as Lodha Group, has reported a significant jump in its financial performance for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025. The company's net profit surged by 108% to Rs 423.1 crore, while revenue in

October 25, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Maharashtra

Maharashtra's Ambitious Metro Project: 29-Km Long Thane Integral Ring Metro to Boost Connectivity

Maharashtra cabinet approves the Integral Ring Metro project, a 29-km long metro line that will have 22 stations, enhancing connectivity and investment opportunities in the region.

October 5, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate

Brokerage Firms Initiate Coverage on Select Stocks with Upside Potential of up to 52%

Anant Raj, Just Dial, TARC, and other companies have seen fresh interest from brokerage firms, who have initiated coverage on these stocks with 'buy' ratings and upside potential of up to 52%.

July 5, 2024

Read Article

Real Estate Pune

Lemon Tree Hotels Launches New Property in Pune, Expanding Footprint in Maharashtra

Lemon Tree Hotels, a leading hospitality brand in India, has announced the opening of a new property in Pune, further strengthening its presence in Maharashtra. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy.

April 3, 2025

Read Article