Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed concerns on Wednesday regarding proposals outlined in the Congress party’s manifesto for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He specifically highlighted what he perceived as hints towards religion-based reservation if the Congress were to come to power.
Speaking at a public gathering in Visakhapatnam, Singh strongly criticized the Congress for what he deemed as efforts to create divisions within the armed forces and other institutions along religious lines.
Singh’s remarks referenced the Sachar Committee Report of 2006, commissioned during the Congress regime, which recommended a census of Muslims serving in the armed forces.
He condemned this suggestion as a perilous attempt to introduce religious considerations into the armed forces, marking it as unprecedented in Bharat’s post-independence history.
During his speech, Singh emphasized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) opposition to such moves while they were in the opposition. He framed this as indicative of the Congress party’s true intentions, accusing them of harboring a broader agenda aimed at fostering division within government institutions and job sectors.
The Defence Minister particularly pointed out provisions in the Congress manifesto regarding reservations for religious minorities in government jobs, which he feared could extend to the Armed Forces if implemented.
He characterized this as a threat to the unity of the nation, highlighting the potential ramifications of such a policy.
Singh raised concerns that the proposals in the Congress manifesto, under the guise of ‘minority welfare,’ which seemed to be influenced by the Sachar Committee Report. He urged the public to support candidates from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the political coalition led by the BJP, in the upcoming elections.
The Defence Minister’s remarks come amidst a larger discourse within Bharatiya politics, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also engaging in a sustained critique of the Congress party over its election manifesto.
The assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled to coincide with the Lok Sabha polls on May 13, adding significance to the political discourse surrounding manifesto promises and party positions.
Singh’s statements underscore the heightened tensions and ideological divisions that often surface during election campaigns, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as religion and national unity.
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