Sindoor Firestorm: Mamata Dares Modi to Debate

Kolkata, West Bengal — A scorching war of words erupted in West Bengal today, escalating the already tense political landscape, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a fiery counter-punch to Modi’s “Operation Sindoor” narrative, Banerjee questioned the Prime Minister’s personal life and challenged him to an unscripted, face-to-face debate, sending shockwaves across the nation.

“Prime Minister Modi is talking as if he is the husband of every woman. Why doesn’t he give sindoor to his own wife?” a visibly enraged Mamata Banerjee declared in Kolkata, her voice cutting through the political noise. “However, I did not want to talk about this, but you forced me to speak.”

The controversial remark came hours after Prime Minister Modi, during a 32-minute speech in Alipurduar, West Bengal, extensively discussed “Operation Sindoor” – a term he used to describe India’s recent precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Modi also sharply criticized the Mamata government’s alleged corruption and policies.

Banerjee did not mince words in her rebuttal, emphasizing the sanctity of the vermillion. “Sindoor is related to every woman. Sindoor is considered sacred. Women apply it for their husbands. I do not want to comment on Operation Sindoor. Every woman is respected,” she stated, drawing a clear line between a military operation and a deeply personal and cultural symbol.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo’s defiance didn’t stop there. She directly challenged Prime Minister Modi to a live, unscripted debate. “I challenge PM Modi for a face-to-face debate. There will be no script and the questions will have to be answered immediately. If you want, bring your own teleprompter too,” she asserted, throwing down a gauntlet that promises to intensify the political battle ahead.

Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of manipulating media narratives and misusing incidents to spread “false news about Bengal.” She slammed Modi for seeking personal publicity rather than initiating projects for the armed forces, stating, “Every demonstration is only in your name. Why don’t you start any project for the army? You only want publicity.”

The Chief Minister also expressed her dismay at the BJP’s rhetoric, particularly state BJP president Sukant Majumdar’s call for an “Operation Bengal” akin to “Operation Sindoor” to overthrow the Trinamool government. “What PM Modi said today not only shocked us, but it is unfortunate to hear it,” Banerjee said. “But has the time come for PM Modi and his leaders to run ‘Operation Bengal’ like ‘Operation Sindoor’? If they have the courage, I challenge them to contest the elections tomorrow.”

The political temperature is expected to rise further as the Modi government prepares to launch a nationwide initiative from June 9, the day Modi took oath for his third term, to deliver “Operation Sindoor” success to every household by gifting vermillion to women. This move, according to a senior BJP leader, aims to celebrate “Modi 3.0.” However, critics are already labeling it as a blatant politicization of a national security matter and a cultural symbol.