"Trivialising serious matter": Former diplomat KP Fabian on Ajay Rai's 'nimbu mirchi on Rafale' remarks

Fabian told ANI, "He is trivialising a serious matter by showing that picture and all. It is better for us to leave it to the government to choose the timing and the manner of action rather than publicly egg on the government. This is a time and a matter where we all stand together. You can express that if you have political differences, but not this way."

This comes after Rai criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemons and chillies) hanging on them.

Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chillies and lemons hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?"

Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye.

BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader, which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces".

"The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. (ANI)