The National Democratic (NDA) in Bihar came under severe criticism from the Opposition and social media users after none of its leaders came to receive the body of slain Central Reserve Police Force inspector Pintu Kumar Singh at the Patna airport. The CRPF jawan lost his life during the latest anti-terror operation at Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara on Friday, March 1. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accompanied by cabinet colleagues, however, later went to the airport to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was arriving for his Sankalp Rally.
Those who came to pay their last respects to the martyred inspector included Lok Janshakti Party MP Choudhary Mahboob Ali Kaiser and state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha. Even former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar was seen saluting the slain inspector.
While political executives of NDA govt in Bihar chose to skipped last rites of CRPF Jawan Pintu Singh in Bihar's Begusarai who was martyred in Handwara encounter, Former JNU Student Union President Kanhaiya Kumar offered salute. pic.twitter.com/eeZqJSwYS8
— ASHUTOSH MISHRA (@JournoAshutosh) March 3, 2019
The presence of Kanhaiya Kumar, who is repeatedly called anti-national by the right-wing, became a talking point. After all, it was he who was present there to salute the martyr while the prime minister and the state chief minister were busy with a rally.
A reminder: the people who ignore the killed jawans to do their politics say this guy, who came to pay his respects, is the traitor. Sure. https://t.co/BcqsxPQpW7
— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/amitcgh/status/1102453492277403648
Salute to @kanhaiyakumar too. He comes from a family which has members in the armed forces. He understands the value of the jawan’s supreme sacrifice. https://t.co/qQ3ee4kkNs
— Jayanta Bhattacharya 🇮🇳 (@goldenarcher) March 3, 2019
While Godi Media is busy in showing Rally of the Chowkidar and calling this man anti national. #BiharRejectsModi https://t.co/uaO3EmHfiR
— Crypto ₿aba | On-Chain & Market Insights (@cryptobaba_) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/thedarkangel010/status/1102218691910004736
In another video that has been widely shared on social media, Pintu Kumar’s brother Mithilesh can be seen castigating the Modi and the Bihar CM for their “priorities.” He said the rally was given more important over a martyr’s last rites and from that it is clear what the government is doing for the soldiers.
WATCH: CRPF martyr Pintu Kumar's brother Mithilesh says PM's RALLY was given PRIORITY over a MARTYR in Patna. https://t.co/UeC38Bet9X
— Deepak Singh (@Deepak_Smg) March 3, 2019
Social media users have expressed anguish over the improper conduct of the NDA leaders, who have been busy trying to gain political points after tension erupted between India and Pakistan. Journalist Tarique Anwar, sharing a report, claimed that this was not the first time the NDA leaders had been apathetic.
This is not the first time, earlier in 2016 BJP minister had said ‘Martyr Would not Have Come Alive’ if we visit themhttps://t.co/EfcdMBcCIj
— Tarique Anwer (@tanwer_m) March 3, 2019
Other users too highlighted how the PM had his priorities wrong.
https://twitter.com/KanavKarol/status/1102118137762377728
Opposition party leader Tejashwi Yadav too slammed the chief minister and the prime minister for their conduct. “The PM and CM have insulted the martyr intentionally. On one side in Patna was the slain soldier’s body draped in the tricolour, and not far from it was a podium covered with flowers where these fake nationalists were rejoicing asking for votes in the name of martyred soldiers”, read his tweet.
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी जी और मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने आज शहीद का जानबुझकर अपमान किया है। पटना में एकतरफ़ चंद क़दम दूर तिरंगे में लिपटा शहीद का पार्थिव शरीर रखा था और दूसरी तरफ़ फूलों से सजे राजनीतिक मंच पर ये फ़र्ज़ी देशभक्त ठहाके लगा शहीदों के नाम पर वोटों की खेती कर रहे थे। https://t.co/fHxsZhCYmm
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 3, 2019