New Delhi: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi will be the “focus” of BJP chaupals, to be organised across the country by the party’s minority wing to celebrate 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led government. The first chaupal will take place in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, on 9 June.
Colonel Qureshi, who along with IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh led India’s press briefings on Operation Sindoor, will be the face of the campaign through which the success of Operation Sindoor will be conveyed to the public.
Speaking to ThePrint, Jamal Siddiqui, national president of the BJP’s Minority Morcha, said the first chaupal will be held in Shaheen Bagh, which had become the epicentre of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As part of the chaupal, the morcha will also distribute copies of the Constitution and discuss Operation Sindoor.
“We will be organising a number of chaupals, with the first one starting on 9 June from Shaheen Bagh. This chaupal is part of the ‘11 Years of Modi Government—Sankalp Se Siddhi’ programmes. We will be especially reaching out to women and encouraging them to join the NCC and Agniveer scheme of the Modi government. They have a fine example of Colonel Sofiya in front of them who told the world what strength Indian women have,” he added.
The morcha will also distribute pamphlets during the chaupals.
“The bravery exemplified by Colonel Sofiya is a message for all Muslim women that they too can become the next Colonel Sofiya. She’s an idol for Muslim women. Whether it is in the Army, in their everyday lives, or while dealing with domestic violence, military training can come handy in every possible way and we will encourage them to join NCC,” said Siddiqui.
The chaupals will be held at dargahs, outside mosques and tombs, among other places. The morcha is hoping to organise at least 20,000 such gatherings.
“Whether it is Operation Sindoor, or reservation provided by the Modi government or even Agniveer, our women are being encouraged in every field by the government and we will highlight how Islam too will gain from this,” he added.
Siddiqui said it is vital that the importance of the Agniveer scheme is also understood by the people. “We will tell our sisters through the chaupal to become Agniveers, join NCC and take training. Training is very important, it will make you physically strong and in difficult times, when needed, you can protect yourself and your people.”
Siddiqui further said that a narrative is often built among minorities that women should remain confined to their homes, but women like Colonel Sofiya have helped break that stereotype, which is why their campaign will focus on her.
As part of the chaupal, Ayushman cards will also be prepared and distributed among senior citizens who attend. The Minority Morcha president also said that if required, it will request the government to implement training sessions for women in madrasas and schools.
The BJP has launched a programme to celebrate the achievements of the Modi government as it is set to complete 11 years on 9 June, when Modi took oath as prime minister for the third time last year. Party president J.P. Nadda has come up with a number of guidelines for organising various events including chaupals, registration camps for centrally sponsored schemes, digital competition, panel discussions etc.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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