Tracks of Transformation: A Resolution That Sparked a Storm
Tracks of Transformation: In a moment intended to be solemn and unifying, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on the floor praising the Indian armed forces for their valour and service. Yet, within hours, what should have been a bipartisan gesture turned into a political flashpoint.
The crux of the controversy? The re0solution did not mention “Operation Sindoor” — the recent and high-risk anti-insurgency operation carried out by the Indian Army in Manipur, in which several soldiers were martyred. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party in West Bengal, condemned the omission, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of “deliberate disrespect” and politicizing military sacrifice.
What Was Operation Sindoor?
Before diving into the political dimensions, it is crucial to understand what Operation Sindoor represents.
On June 1, 2024, the Indian Army executed a successful operation in the border regions of Manipur, close to the India–Myanmar border. Intelligence had indicated the presence of secessionist insurgent groups, allegedly supported by foreign entities, hiding in the remote terrain.
The Indian Army:
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Deployed special forces through a combination of airborne and ground assault teams
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Neutralized multiple insurgents
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Destroyed ammunition caches
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Suffered fatal casualties, including 3 decorated soldiers
The operation was hailed as a textbook example of counter-insurgency success, winning admiration across national media, defense experts, and civil society.
The Bengal Assembly Resolution – What It Said and Didn’t Say
On June 5, 2024, the West Bengal Assembly convened to pass a resolution commemorating the bravery of India’s armed forces. The resolution broadly praised the military’s role in national defense and humanitarian missions. However, there was no direct reference to Operation Sindoor — a glaring omission, according to critics.
Textual Analysis of the Resolution:
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Mentioned: General valor, sacrifices of soldiers, importance of unity
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Omitted: Any specific mention of “Operation Sindoor,” the Manipur context, or names of martyred soldiers
TMC defended the decision, calling it a “general statement of support” that was inclusive of all operations, while the BJP lambasted it as “cowardly, politically motivated, and disrespectful.”
BJP’s Outrage – A Calculated Offensive?
The BJP’s response was swift and scathing. Several MLAs staged a walkout, with leaders like Suvendu Adhikari calling the TMC’s action a “direct insult to the Indian Army.” Others questioned the TMC’s ideological alignment, accusing it of pandering to “anti-national sentiment.”
Key Accusations from BJP:
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Deliberate omission of Operation Sindoor due to “uncomfortable political geography” (Manipur, a BJP-led state)
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Fear of upsetting certain vote banks perceived as sensitive to military actions in the Northeast
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Attempt to downplay BJP-led national government’s military achievements
TMC leaders countered this by accusing the BJP of “weaponizing patriotism” and turning soldier sacrifice into a partisan slogan.
Why Operation Sindoor Matters Politically
The politics of national security in India has increasingly become deeply polarized. Since the Surgical Strikes (2016) and the Balakot Airstrike (2019), the BJP has projected itself as the party that protects national borders and punishes enemies. Each successful military operation under its tenure has been heavily politicized, especially around election cycles.
Operation Sindoor’s Symbolic Power:
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Occurred under BJP’s national leadership
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Took place in a volatile region governed by BJP
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Received wide coverage on BJP-leaning media outlets
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Became a part of BJP’s larger nationalistic narrative
For the BJP, the omission was not just symbolic — it was a denial of a moment they believed they owned politically.
The TMC’s Response – Broad Unity or Strategic Ambiguity?
The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was careful in its rebuttal. Party spokespersons insisted the resolution was about “unity and universal recognition”, rather than highlighting one operation over another.
Some TMC insiders, however, admitted privately that naming Operation Sindoor might have:
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Provoked sectarian tensions in pockets of Bengal’s northeast-facing districts
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Alienated voters with family or cultural roots in the Northeast
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Given BJP more media ammunition
Their strategy seemed to be rooted in calculated ambiguity — to praise the armed forces while avoiding feeding into what they perceive as the BJP’s choreographed nationalism.
Military Sacrifice in the Age of Political Optics
This is not the first time political parties have clashed over ownership of military narratives.
Historical Flashbacks:
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1999: BJP’s celebration of Kargil War win was criticized by Congress as opportunistic.
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2016–19: PM Modi’s repeated invocation of Surgical and Balakot strikes during election rallies sparked EC warnings.
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2021: TMC accused BJP of politicizing COVID-era armed forces deployment.
The current controversy fits a pattern where military heroism becomes a contested political space, especially when state–centre dynamics are tense.
The Northeast Context – A Political Minefield
Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Tripura — all northeastern states — hold deep strategic and cultural complexities.
Why Bengal Politicians Tread Carefully:
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Bengal shares historical ethnic overlaps with Northeast tribes and communities.
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Violence in Manipur has created political sensitivities, particularly among civil rights activists.
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Naming Operation Sindoor could be construed, in some quarters, as endorsing state violence, depending on one’s political alignment.
Thus, Bengal’s regional politics — particularly under TMC — involves a tightrope walk between affirming national pride and maintaining harmony with its northeastern communities and diaspora.
Army Reactions – Silence and Professionalism
It is important to note that the Indian Army has maintained complete neutrality in the matter. There has been no official statement from Eastern Command or Defence Ministry sources regarding the Assembly’s omission.
Military analysts have also reiterated that:
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The Army serves the Constitution, not any party
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Political expressions of gratitude or omission do not affect morale
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The operational legacy of a mission like Sindoor is enshrined in military history, not political gestures
Still, retired officers voiced disappointment, with one Lt. General (retd.) stating, “Acknowledgement is not politics; it is decency.”
Public Perception – Divided but Engaged
Social media responses to the controversy have been telling. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp, the debate has grown intense.
Public Sentiment:
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Many citizens expressed shock at the omission, saying “every soldier deserves individual recognition.”
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Others applauded the resolution’s non-political tone, arguing that the armed forces should not be dragged into party battles.
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Some called for a central law mandating military recognition post-major operations.
Polls conducted by Bengali news portals showed a 60–40 split, with the majority leaning towards mentioning specific operations in such resolutions.
What Happens Next?
With the Lok Sabha elections 2026 looming, every such controversy can echo louder than intended. BJP leaders in Delhi have already begun raising the issue nationally, framing it as part of a “pattern of disrespect” by opposition states.
Meanwhile, the TMC is expected to:
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Double down on its broad patriotism narrative
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Avoid falling into trap-style provocations
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Highlight its own contributions to national integration (e.g., refugee rehabilitation, border security)
If not handled with nuance, this issue could spiral into a national vs. state pride debate, dragging the military into political waters yet again.
A Bigger Question – Who Owns Patriotism?
At the heart of this controversy lies a fundamental question: In a democracy, who “owns” national pride? Is patriotism a shared civic value, or is it being rebranded as a party-centric campaign tool?
What West Bengal’s resolution and the backlash around it reveal is this: the military is becoming an ideological chess piece, used by various players to consolidate narratives. And in the process, the line between respect and rhetoric is getting dangerously thin.
Between Uniforms and Assemblies
Ultimately, soldiers who risk their lives in operations like Sindoor do not fight for resolutions, hashtags, or political applause. They fight for something larger — an idea of India that is strong, unified, and beyond partisanship.
The Assembly may have passed a resolution. The BJP may have staged a walkout. The media may have broadcasted anger. But perhaps the true honour lies not in what was said or omitted, but in remembering those who serve — with or without recognition.
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