An admission by India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, regarding the destruction of Indian fighter jets by Pakistan has sparked major controversy across India, leading to growing calls for his resignation.
During interviews with Bloomberg and Reuters at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan confirmed that several Indian Air Force jets — including French-made Rafale aircraft — were destroyed during aerial skirmishes with Pakistan in May 2025.
Although he declined to specify the exact number of aircraft lost, General Chauhan stated, “The key issue is why the aircraft were downed, not how many.” This remark has provoked widespread criticism within India.
Former Indian military officers and defence analysts, including Pravin Sawhney, have bemoaned the revelation as highly serious. Sawhney argued that the admission that Indian jets were grounded for two days raises grave concerns and is sufficient grounds for General Chauhan’s resignation.
He said that this disclosure casts doubt on India’s claims of success in Operation Sindoor, suggesting that General Chauhan should now step down from his position.
Leader of the opposition Congress Party, Mallikarjun Kharge, also criticised the Modi government, accusing it of misleading the public. “Now the truth is coming to light,” he said, calling for an emergency session of Parliament and the formation of an impartial committee to investigate the defence failures.
Even leaders within hardline nationalist groups and some members of the ruling BJP, including Subramanian Swamy, have demanded General Chauhan’s resignation. They have also directed criticism at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
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