BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi sparked headlines with a striking comparison between the current lull in India-Pakistan hostilities and a commercial break on television, insisting that the situation shouldn’t be termed a ceasefire. “It is not Yuddhaviraam, it is Alpaviraam — an operational break, like a commercial break in television,” Trivedi remarked while responding to a pointed query by Rajat Sharma during his appearance on the latest episode of Aap Ki Adalat, telecast on May 24, 2025.

The remarks were part of a wide-ranging interview aired on India TV, which released an official press communication summarizing the BJP leader’s key statements. In response to how India would react if Pakistan launched another terror strike, Trivedi underlined, “Our Prime Minister has made it clear that any further act of terror shall be considered an act of war.”

Taking aim at the Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi, Trivedi didn’t hold back. Describing Rahul Gandhi with the idiom Tees Maar Khan, he explained, “It refers to someone who boasts about his achievements but is all pretense.” He pointed out that nearly two years ago, Rahul Gandhi had referred to the US and UK as ‘defenders of democracy’, claiming they were not intervening in India to ‘save democracy’.

Calling Gandhi’s recent criticism of India’s foreign policy a vaham (misconception), Trivedi reminded viewers of past instances where the opposition worked in sync with the government on diplomatic fronts. “In 1995, Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had sent Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Geneva when Pakistan brought a resolution against India. The opposition has always stood by the government in times of national crisis,” he said.

He also cited historical examples of cross-party unity, such as RSS volunteers joining the 1963 and 1965 Republic Day parades, and Vajpayee praising Indira Gandhi after the 1971 Bangladesh war. “In 2013, when Nawaz Sharif made a derogatory remark against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Narendra Modi, then Gujarat CM, stood up and asked, ‘Who is Nawaz Sharif to comment on the PM of 125 crore Indians?’” Trivedi recalled.

Interestingly, he also cleared the air about Vajpayee’s famed remark describing Indira Gandhi as Goddess Durga during the 1971 war. “Atalji never used the term Durga himself, but in the show Aap Ki Adalat, he explained that although he didn’t use the word, ‘Durga never left him alone’ — Durga ne peechha hi nahin chhoda,” Trivedi said, with a chuckle.

When questioned about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the BJP spokesperson declared, “In 2019, we removed the two flags that were being used in Kashmir. Those who partitioned our nation with Direct Action will one day witness PoK rejoining Jammu and Kashmir through our Direct Action.”

Trivedi voiced concern over how posts by Indian YouTubers and social influencers are now being picked up by Pakistani media and even presented during army press briefings. “It’s unfortunate that false narratives are being built using statements from our own citizens,” he said.

He also addressed the recent controversy surrounding remarks by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah about Indian Army spokesperson Col. Sofia Qureshi. “Our party has taken a serious view of this. He has issued an apology, and we are ready to comply with any direction issued by the court,” Trivedi said. But he also turned the lens back on the Congress, recalling how, during its tenure, both the CBI and IB had identified Ishrat Jahan as a terrorist, but she was later referred to as a ‘beti’ (daughter) by a Congress leader.

“Congress is now raising the Col. Qureshi issue to cover up its past sins. BJP, and every Indian, respects the service and valour of Col. Sofia Qureshi and her family,” Trivedi said, wrapping up the interview with strong words in defence of the armed forces.