New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gourav Vallabh on Tuesday strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his recent remarks on Operation Sindoor, accusing him of mocking an issue of national importance.

While speaking with ANI, Vallabh said, 'What kind of things is the CM of a state saying? This is not a comedy show. You are the CM of a state. You are speaking like social media trolls... Operation Sindoor is the prestige of India, don't mock it. You are the CM of a state, and the people of your state and the entire country expect some seriousness from you...'

Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stirred a controversy after he said that the BJP has turned 'Operation Sindoor' into a joke, asking whether this is a 'One nation, one husband' scheme.

'Did you not see the kind of fun made of Sindoor? What is this - one nation, one husband scheme?' CM Mann said.

The statement drew swift and sharp criticism from the BJP, with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu taking the lead in condemning the remarks.

In a self-made video, Bittu said that the country will not forgive Bhagwant Mann for the words he has used.

'The statements show how cheap and vile things the Aam Aadmi Party and their Chief Minister can say. The NDA government at the Centre has defeated Pakistan, and you are not able to tolerate it. Will you say anything to show that you stand with Pakistan? The country will not forgive you for the words you used against PM Modi today,' he said.

BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also slammed the Punjab CM, calling his remarks 'shameful.'

'This is very shameful. Comedians look good on stage, but Bhagwant Mann does not understand the value of the CM's chair. What kind of joke is this? ... I think it is shameful for the CM to joke about such a thing,' Bajwa said.

On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After India's strike on terror infrastructure, Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the International Border, as well as attempted drone attacks targeting civilian areas along the border regions. In response, India neutralised Pakistani air defence apparatus, radar infrastructure, and communication centres, and inflicted heavy damage across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding on the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)