The ruling BJP in India came under fire after its rival Congress claimed that it showed Indian territories as part of Pakistani and China in a map included in an animated video.
The video hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his successful policies.
However, the map it displays is the one used by many international organizations, including news agencies. It shows Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan as part of Pakistan. The maps used in India show these territories as part of India while maps used in Pakistan show the Indian-occupied Kashmir as part of Pakistan.
Congress seized the opportunity to criticize the BJP. Several BJP leaders tweeted the animated video in which “ironically parts of India were shown with Pakistan and China”, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said.
“If this is not an attack on our territorial integrity and our sovereignty then I wonder what is. This exposes the BJP, this tells you what they are made of, what their motives are. This also tells you the lack of respect they have for our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she added.
In the video, an animated character of Modi is seen looking at a globe in which India’s map is also visible.
Shrinate said many of the BJP leaders later deleted the video after people pointed out the map issue.
“So who in the BJP is going to take the responsibility for this, where does the buck stop. We demand that the PM and the BJP president (J P Nadda) with folded hands should first ask for apology before every India,” Supriya said.