Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning against the Congress party’s purported proposal for religion-based reservation in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, cautioning that it could potentially disrupt the unity of the nation. Speaking at a public gathering in Visakhapatnam, Singh criticized the Congress for what he deemed as divisive tactics aimed at creating rifts within the armed forces and other governmental institutions along religious lines.
Singh referenced the Sachar Committee Report of 2006, which, during the Congress regime, suggested the counting of Muslims serving in the armed forces. He condemned this initiative as unprecedented in India’s post-independence history and accused the Congress of attempting to sow seeds of division within the armed forces.
During his address, Singh vehemently opposed the Congress’s alleged agenda of introducing reservations for religious minorities in government jobs, expressing concerns that such a move could extend to the Armed Forces. He emphasized the potential detrimental effects of such policies on the unity of the country and questioned the Congress’s motives behind such proposals.
Singh highlighted the influence of the Sachar Committee Report on the Congress’s manifesto, attributing the party’s alleged stance on ‘minority welfare’ to the recommendations of the report. He reiterated his opposition to any measures that seek to divide the nation along religious lines and urged the public to consider the implications of such proposals on the country’s integrity and unity.
As the political discourse intensifies in the run-up to the elections, Singh’s remarks underscore the contrasting visions and agendas of the major political parties, with issues of national unity and social cohesion taking center stage in the electoral debate.
