Fri May 16 16:21:10 IST 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Sparks Outrage with Remarks About Army ‘Bowing’ to Modi**
**Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – May 16, 2025 -** Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda is facing severe criticism after making remarks that critics are calling insulting to the Indian Armed Forces. Speaking at a civil defense volunteers event in Jabalpur on Friday, Devda stated that “Today the entire country, the country’s Army and our soldiers bow down at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The reply he has given cannot be praised enough.”
The statement triggered immediate condemnation from the opposition Congress party, who accuse the ruling BJP of orchestrating a “sponsored program” to demean the military.
“Mohan Yadav Government Minister Vijay Shah calls the brave colonel of the army the sister of terrorists, the Deputy Chief Minister says that the army bows down at the feet of Modi, and when the media questions the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, he gets irritated and gives nonsensical answers,” State Congress president Jitu Patwari said. He further alleged that the BJP is shielding the ministers instead of taking action and vowed to take the protests to the streets.
The controversy follows recent criticism of another minister, Vijay Shah, for separate remarks regarding the armed forces.
The BJP, however, is defending Devda’s comments. M.P. BJP spokesperson Ashish Agarwal accused the Congress of twisting Devda’s words. “Jagdish Devdaji clearly stated that the entire nation salutes the bravery of our soldiers and armed forces who carried out the strike on Pakistan,” Agarwal stated. He insisted that Devda’s remarks were intended to praise the soldiers’ bravery and that the BJP stands united in support of the armed forces. The debate and resulting news coverage continues to dominate headlines in the region.
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