Conduct inquiry into Operation Sindoor, Pahalgam attacks, demands former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan

After stating that there was no question of tendering an apology for his remarks on Operation Sindoor, former Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) demanded a thorough inquiry into Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attacks. “The country needs to know the entire truth. What is wrong if I ask questions to the political leadership? I want to know if my country is safe in Narendra Modi’s hands,” the Congress leader told The Hindu.

Mr. Chavan’s demand came a day after his comment that India had been completely defeated on the first day of Operation Sindoor, which caused a stir. His remark was being misconstrued, he said.

“I have utmost respect for our defence forces. I did not raise any question on the armed forces. My question is to the political leadership, that they should give a reply to the country,” the Congress leader said.

“Under Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, it is my duty as a citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform, promoting rational thinking, compassion, and progress, rather than blind faith or superstition, as part of India’s vision for a modern, progressive society.”

Mr. Chavan had spoken at a public event in Pune on Tuesday (December 16). “On the first day [of Operation Sindoor], we were completely defeated. In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on [May] 7th, we were fully defeated, whether people accept it or not. Indian aircraft were shot down. The [Indian] Air Force was completely grounded, and not a single aircraft flew. If any aircraft had taken off from Gwalior, Bathinda, or Sirsa, there was a high probability of being shot down by Pakistan, which is why the Air Force was fully grounded,” he had said. He had also questioned the need to maintain large military forces, stating that wars would be fought in the air. His remarks stoked a controversy.

On Wednesday (December 17), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray or UBT) MP Sanjay Raut came out in support of Mr. Chavan. “The way Operation Sindoor began and later stopped is shrouded in suspense. Our forces were advancing, but after [U.S.] President [Donald] Trump’s ceasefire call, they stopped. This is a betrayal of the whole country. Operation Sindoor remains incomplete, and the revenge for the Pahalgam attack is unfinished,” Mr. Raut said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde targeted Mr. Chavan, saying that the Congress leader was speaking “Pakistan’s language”. “This is like demoralising our forces,” Mr. Shinde said.

Mr. Chavan’s remarks stirred a controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed him, calling him anti-national.

Responding to the political criticism, Mr. Chavan said his comments were being misconstrued. He had not questioned the armed forces, he said, but that the political debate had been misdirected towards the armed forces. “My question is to the political leadership,” the Congress leader said.