The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) paid tribute to the women who displayed exceptional courage in “Operation Sindoor.” At an event held Thursday at the party headquarters, senior AAP leaders including Rakhi Bidlan and Dr. Shelly Oberoi honored the bravery of women who led during the India-Pakistan conflict.
Participants, in a symbolic protest, sent bangles to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders for questioning the valor of women soldiers and yielding to U.S. pressure for a ceasefire. Rakhi Bidlan announced that the AAP Women’s Wing would deliver the bangles to the Prime Minister on Friday.
Former Deputy Speaker of Delhi Assembly Rakhi Bidlan strongly questioned the BJP-led Centre over the sudden ceasefire announcement during Operation Sindoor, calling it a betrayal of the nation’s hopes. She said, “The night of 6-7 May was a moment of pride for every Indian. Operation Sindoor was a historic moment that sparked hope across the country regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). We witnessed the valour, bravery, and passion of the Indian Army. Sons and daughters of Bharat Mata were ready to sacrifice their lives to reclaim PoK. At that moment, 140 crore Indians dreamed that after 78 years, PoK would finally be ours.”
Reflecting on the intensity of the military action, she said, “The Indian Army, with unmatched energy and courage, shook Pakistan to its core. Major air bases were destroyed, terrorist camps were targeted and wiped out. Our forces sent a clear message that the sons of Bharat Mata would neither tolerate terrorism nor spare its shelter-givers. Several Pakistani buildings and air bases were demolished. Pakistan launched drone and fighter jet attacks on Indian citizens, but every attempt failed. Not a single Indian building was touched, nor was a single Indian harmed.”
Rakhi Bidlan said, “As our soldiers advanced into PoK and it was almost within our grasp, the BJP-led central government suddenly announced a ceasefire. It was done without any formal agreement, information, or explanation. When the ceasefire with Pakistan was declared, every Indian’s dream shattered. The entire country was heartbroken. At a time when our soldiers were showcasing unmatched bravery and each one was ready to sacrifice for Bharat Mata, why did PM Modi declare a ceasefire? The abruptness raises doubts and many questions.”
She added, “We are being told that Pakistan pleaded for a ceasefire, saying they were facing immense damage. The Government of India must answer — when our sisters’ sindoor was wiped off in Pahalgam by Pakistani terrorists, when they cried for help, did those terrorists stop? Then why did PM Modi, without informing the nation or holding an all-party meeting, declare a ceasefire? Under what pressure was this done?”
Rakhi Bidlan said, “Was PM Modi afraid under some kind of pressure? Did the man with a 56-inch chest have to retreat under pressure? When our forces were on the verge of victory, ready to hoist the flag on PoK, suddenly the United States claimed it threatened to cut trade, and that’s why PM Modi agreed to a ceasefire. This is shameful. While every brave soldier stood ready to sacrifice their life at the frontlines, questions must be asked — why did the BJP and Prime Minister Modi agree to a ceasefire without any settlement, without demanding an apology, and on the word of a third country?”
She continued, “The Modi government held a closed-door ceasefire with a few individuals, without any rationale, documentation or concrete information. This is an insult to our armed forces and to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the honour of Bharat Mata. For 78 years, BJP has constantly attacked Congress.”
“The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister have all said that had there been no ceasefire for three more days in the 1947 war, PoK would have been ours. Now, after 78 years, PM Modi had the chance. There was panic in Pakistan. Our Navy, Air Force, and Army were all proving their valour. Yet the Modi government buckled under pressure. Why was a third country’s intervention needed? Suddenly, a foreign press conference declares a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. This is an insult to our army, people who lost their lives for the country, our valour, and to Bharat Mata herself,” she emphasised.
Rakhi Bidlan said, “This battle had many brave women from our forces. In particular, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Sofiya Qureshi displayed exceptional courage. While our sons and daughters were not afraid of death, the Modi government stepped back. This proves that the so-called 56-inch chest cowered. When Article 370 was removed, the Home Minister said in Parliament — this is just the beginning, there’s more to come. Where did that ‘fight’ go?”
“I offer bangles to PM Modi and the BJP. They should wear them. On behalf of the thousands of women soldiers who send their sons, brothers, and sindoor to protect this country, I present these bangles to PM Modi. Why did PM Modi follow the orders of a third country and issue a ceasefire? The central government must call an all-party meeting, clarify the ceasefire decision, and issue a white paper to tell the nation why, when our forces were eliminating Pakistani terrorism, the Prime Minister held them back,” she added.
Rakhi Bidlan hit out at BJP leaders for insulting the bravery and patriotism of Indian women soldiers. She said, “I want to gift these bangles to that Madhya Pradesh minister and all BJP leaders who dare to question the valour and patriotism of our daughters. They didn’t just target Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s dedication and service, but also passed disgraceful comments about our Foreign Secretary’s daughter and Himanshi Narwal—whose sindoor was wiped away by terrorists in Pahalgam. This reflects the deeply misogynistic mindset of the BJP. They should be ashamed.”
Rakhi Bidlan reminded BJP of the importance of respecting the nation and its women. She said, “The BJP must learn how to respect this country, its people, its daughters, its courage and its soldiers. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi can’t teach this basic decency to his ministers, party workers and leaders, then he should expel them and prove that he is a true soldier and patriot. When it comes to the nation, people rise above politics and personal grievances. And this time, 140 crore Indians have shown that unity.”
She questioned why the government backed down on its own promise regarding PoK. Rakhi Bidlan said, “During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath said that within six months of PM Modi’s third term, PoK would be made part of India. The opportunity came—but the government declared a ceasefire and shattered the hopes of 140 crore Indians.”
“People now want to know—under what pressure, at whose behest, and due to whose intervention did this government announced a ceasefire? The AAP Mahila Wing will go to hand over these bangles to PM Modi on Friday. Either wear these bangles, or answer the nation: Who asked you to call for a ceasefire? Why was the army stopped? Why were shackles put on the steps of our soldiers? Why was PoK not allowed to become a part of India,” she concluded.
Former Delhi Mayor Dr Shelly Oberoi highlighted the sacrifices made by women during the Pahalgam attack. She said, “Women have excelled in every field today. On 22 April in Pahalgam, unarmed and innocent tourists were attacked by terrorists. Many of our sisters lost their sindoor. Some were newly married; some had small children. The entire country was shaken by the brutality of this attack. While India has seen hundreds of terrorist attacks, this was the first targeted attack on its civilians. Through Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army gave a befitting reply—and our women soldiers played a key role.”
She praised the leadership of women officers in the army. Dr Shelly Oberoi said, “Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi displayed immense bravery and patriotism. They inspired the entire Indian Army with one goal: to avenge the sindoor of our daughters. Their courage has made the country proud. Today, the world is speaking their names.”
She recalled the sacrifices of women in past wars as well, adding, “During the 1999 Kargil war, Captain Yashika Tyagi, even while pregnant, served at the border. She thought not of herself or her child, but only of her country. Women are in no way behind men—they are strong individuals who fight their battles everywhere. There was a time when women in India were confined to kitchen work. But today, they are contributing in every field. We salute all our women soldiers who are defending our nation. We urge the government to genuinely invest in women’s empowerment, so that women can lead from the front in all sectors.”
Shelly Oberoi said, “The Aam Aadmi Party has given opportunities to women. Former Deputy Speaker Rakhi Bidlan is a prime example—she strongly raises the voice of women. I, too, was given a chance by Arvind Kejriwal. This is what true women’s empowerment looks like. Women must not think of themselves as weak or inferior. Women are advancing in every field while balancing family, society and career.”
President of AAP’s Delhi Mahila Wing, Sarika Chaudhary, saluted the women officers who led Operation Sindoor. She said, “We salute the bravery of our daughters who served in Operation Sindoor. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi played key roles in this mission. These two powerful women showed the world that they are second to none. They fought with unmatched strength. Every woman in this country bows to their courage. If the participation of women power continues at this scale, our nation will go far ahead.”
