Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly using sindoor (vermilion) as part of a political campaign, accusing it of misusing cultural symbols for electoral benefit.

Speaking at a rally for the upcoming Ludhiana West Assembly bypolls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader mocked the BJP over what he described as a gimmicky “Ghar Ghar Sindoor Abhiyan.”

“They’re now seeking votes in the name of sindoor,” Mann said. “They’ve reduced this sacred tradition to a joke. If sindoor is sent to your house, does that mean you should wear it for Modi? Is this their latest plan — ‘One Nation, One Husband’?”

His remarks were in response to reports that BJP workers have been delivering sindoor to households across the country, in celebration of what they call the success of Operation Sindoor. While such activity has been reported on the ground, the BJP has officially denied running any such campaign.

Mann’s comments echo the criticism voiced by fellow AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to question the campaign. Referencing a famous film dialogue, Singh wrote, “Do chutki sindoor ka mahatva aap kya jante hai Modiji?”

Singh elaborated further, stating that in Indian tradition, sindoor is a powerful symbol — representing a woman's marital status, her husband's well-being, and her own dignity. “But after pushing slogans like ‘One Nation, One Election’ and ‘One Nation, One Leader,’ is the Prime Minister now pushing ‘One Nation, One Husband’?” Singh asked, suggesting that women were being symbolically asked to accept Modi in a spousal role.

The row drew wider attention when the Kerala Congress joined the fray by posting a parody poster of Prime Minister Modi labeled “One Nation, One Husband.” The satirical post also alluded to a month-long sindoor-focused campaign expected to begin on June 9, with BJP leaders reportedly planning to walk long distances daily as part of their outreach.

In response, the BJP’s Karnataka wing hit back at Congress with a post on X: “Congress keeps mocking Hindu beliefs, then blames EVMs when they lose. Their script gets worse with every act.”

The controversy has added to the political heat ahead of crucial elections, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of blurring the lines between religion, tradition, and politics.