New Delhi: A congratulatory post shared by BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, Dr Bhola Singh, on Indian Air Force Day sparked controversy after the graphic posted from his official social media account allegedly featured a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jet instead of an IAF aircraft.
The post, shared to mark the foundation day of the Indian Air Force, was deleted after the error drew attention on social media. The incident prompted criticism from opposition leaders, with Congress alleging that the use of a Pakistani fighter jet in a post meant to honour the Indian Air Force was an irresponsible mistake.
Congress MP Pawan Khera shared the post and criticised the BJP over the error. Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khera said BJP MPs were using photographs of Pakistani fighter jets to wish the Indian Air Force on its foundation day. He described the incident as disrespectful to the armed forces.
भारतीय जनता पार्टी के भारतीय सांसद पाकिस्तान के फाइटर जेट का चित्र लगा कर भारतीय वायुसेना दिवस की बधाई दे रहे हैं।
मोदी जी के #25SaalHaalBehaal https://t.co/L2R5uHME0Q
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) October 8, 2026
Each year, 8 October is observed as Indian Air Force Day to commemorate the establishment of the IAF and honour the contribution of its personnel.
Responding to the criticism, Bhola Singh said the use of the Pakistani aircraft image was not intentional and blamed the error on the person responsible for designing and editing the graphic. “This mistake was not intentional, but rather a human error on the part of the person who designed and edited the poster. As soon as the error was discovered, the post was immediately deleted,” Singh said.
The BJP MP also hit back at the Congress, accusing the opposition party of trying to turn a technical error into a political issue. Singh said the Congress had no substantive political issue left and was therefore attempting to make an issue out of the mistake. Singh’s clarification that the image was the result of a human error has sought to draw a line under the episode, even as the political sparring over it continues.