As India intensifies its counter-terror efforts with the precision bombings of Operation Sindoor, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav has suddenly joined the national security debate. In a social media entry that evoked admiration as well as ridicule, Yadav offered to serve the nation, claiming pilot training and being ready to lay down his life for India.
“If pilot training can be useful for the country, then I, Tej Pratap Yadav, am always ready to serve the country,” the RJD leader posted on X (formerly Twitter). Posting a photo of his pilot licence, he further mentioned, “For your information, I too have taken pilot training and even if I lose my life for the country, I would consider myself fortunate. Jai Hind.”
पायलट की ट्रेनिंग अगर देश के काम आ सकती है तो,मैं तेज प्रताप यादव हर समय देश की सेवा के लिए तत्पर हूँ।
आपके जानकारी के लिए बता दू की मैने भी पायलट की ट्रेनिंग ले रखी है और देश के लिए मेरी जान भी चली जाए तो अपने आपको भाग्यशाली समझुगा।
जय हिंद…#TejPratapYadav #Bihar… pic.twitter.com/e5fmGfcNK7— Tej Pratap Yadav (@TejYadav14) May 7, 2025
Yadav’s statements follow India’s Operation Sindoor, which started early Wednesday and involved Indian forces targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The targets, reportedly run by terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had been involved in planning attacks within Indian territory, including the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Mixed Reactions Online
While Yadav’s patriotism earned him admiration from some, others reacted with sarcasm and memes. “Brother, no matter how big a fool you are, you are a number one patriot,” wrote one. Another said, “Salute to your josh and spirit Teju bhaiyya. Requesting IAF to consider Teju Bhaiyya for a kamikaze strike on the ISI headquarters in Islamabad. It would break the back of their Army.”
Tej Pratap’s post, driven by nationalistic passion, highlights how politics and patriotism often theatrically intersect. During periods of war, such statements might evoke sentiment but also bring into question the motive and timing of political leaders in search of publicity.
While the country witnesses Operation Sindoor with guarded optimism, utterances like Yadav’s remind us of the multiple ways in which public personalities elect to take sides with national opinion, sincerely or performatively.
