“Our Women Are Brave”: BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra Apologises After Backlash Over ‘Veerangna’ Remark on Pahalgam Terror Attack

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra on Sunday issued a public apology after facing widespread backlash over his controversial remarks about the women whose husbands were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. He had suggested that the women should have shown bravery like ‘veerangnas’ (warrior women), sparking outrage across political parties.

“I do not treat women of my country weak in any manner... We stand with the women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam attack, we stand with those families. Still, if I have hurt anyone’s feelings, I have no hesitation in apologising,” said Jangra, stating that his comments were misinterpreted and politically distorted.

Jangra defended his comment by saying they were meant to inspire courage. “I believe our women are brave, and we only need to ignite the spirit of Ahilyabai and Jhansi ki Rani so that if such circumstances arise, like in Pahalgam, they can fight with the spirit of bravery,” he said. “Those who are making it a political issue—God give them sadbuddhi (better sense),” he added.

The apology followed Jangra’s speech in Chandigarh on Saturday, where he said the April 22 Pahalgam terror victims should have resisted and implied the women lacked the spirit of historic warrior queens. His comments quickly drew condemnation from opposition parties, who accused the BJP of harbouring an “anti-women mindset”. The Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Congress all demanded that Jangra be removed from his post.

“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,” TMC posted on its official “X” handle.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the remarks reflected the BJP’s “real face” and accused the party of repeatedly humiliating women. “Instead of honouring women, insulting them, condemning them and exploiting and harassing them in every possible way is the real face of the BJP, which is both disgusting and extremely shameful,” said Yadav.

Congress leaders also weighed in. Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticise Jangra and Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah—who separately made controversial comments linking terrorism to religion. “While we are all proud of our armed forces, it saddens me when some senior BJP leaders... are using indecent language about our brave Army officers and the people killed in the Pahalgam attack and their families,” Pilot said.

Congress MP from Rohtak, Deepender Singh Hooda, said that the BJP MP’s words had “destroyed the honour” of the women affected by the tragedy. “The entire nation stands with all the sisters and daughters whose sindoor has been taken away. The BJP leaders have been continuously making irresponsible statements,” he said, questioning why the State Women’s Commission had not acted on the matter.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar distanced the BJP from Jangra’s remarks but urged for closure following the apology. “He presented the remarks in the wrong context. Sisters lost their husbands in the incident; to say this about them is wrong and inappropriate,” Manoharlal Khattar told reporters in Karnal. “He has expressed regret. I believe this matter should now be closed.”​