New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Congress MP Praniti Shinde has reignited controversy by standing by her now-expunged remark calling Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha,' which drew sharp criticism and was removed from Lok Sabha records for being derogatory.

Shinde clarified that while she is willing to apologise to families affected by the Pahalgam attack, she refuses to apologise to 'trolls and Andh-bhakts of the BJP,' accusing the government of using the military operation for PR and optics.

'If the families of those 26 people are affected, we are willing to say sorry 1000 times. But we will never apologise to these trolls and the Andh-bhakts of the BJP. The BJP has used Operation Sindoor for their PR tactics and optics. This is the stand we maintain even till today...' the MP from Solapur constituency in Maharashtra said today.

Yesterday, Praniti called Operation Sindoor a 'tamasha' by the government, claiming it was more of a media show than a real success.

Shinde questioned what was actually achieved, how many terrorists were caught, whether any fighter jets were lost, and demanded that the government take responsibility and give clear answers.

During the discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, Praniti Shinde said, '... Operation Sindoor was nothing but a 'tamasha' of the government in the media. No one is telling us what was achieved in this Operation. How many terrorists were caught? How many fighter jets did we lose? Who is responsible and whose mistake is this? This should be answered by the government...'

The word 'tamasha' used by Congress MP Praniti Shinde in her speech in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on Operation Sindoor has been expunged from the official records of Parliament.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh targeted the opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of prioritising the wrong questions during the opening debate on Operation Sindoor. Responding to the questions raised by the Opposition about possible Indian aircraft losses during the Operation Sindoor, Singh said that their questions did not represent the national sentiments.

Operation Sindoor was carried out in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22 this year. India targeted nine terror hubs across Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Pakistan and neutralised over 100 terrorists. After the May 7 operations, India and Pakistan reached a cessation of hostilities understanding on May 10. (ANI)