Rajnath Singh slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks on army, urges to keep politics away

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday sharply criticised Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks regarding the Indian Army, urging him to "not drag the Army into politics." Speaking at a public rally in Banka, Bihar, Singh underscored that the Indian Army operates above caste and religious divisions, asserting that its sole guiding principle is ‘Sainya Dharma’ the duty of a soldier to the nation.

Singh firmly stated, "Our soldiers have only one religion 'Sainya Dharma'. There is no other religion besides this. Do not politicise the Army. Whenever India has faced a crisis, it is our soldiers who have raised the nation's head with their bravery and valour." He further criticised the politics of caste, religion, and sectarianism, which he said has hurt the country's unity. Singh added, "Our vision is to uplift all sections of society without discrimination. We do not want to divide people based on caste or religion."

This criticism came in response to remarks made by Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Kutumba, Bihar, on Tuesday. Gandhi claimed that the Indian Army was "under the control of 10% of the population," implying that upper-caste individuals dominate the institution, thus marginalising other communities. He tied this observation to broader issues of economic inequality, stating that despite 90% of India's population coming from marginalized groups, they remain underrepresented in key sectors, including the Army, bureaucracy, and corporate India.

Gandhi's comments touched a raw nerve, particularly in Bihar, where caste politics plays a central role. He further argued that India's wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of the elite 10%, represented by wealthy business families like Adani and Ambani, who, according to him, control most of the country's resources, including the Army.

Singh responded by refuting Gandhi's claims, reiterating that the Army's focus is on national service, not caste identity. He also referenced Operation Sindoor, highlighting its success in eliminating major terrorist hideouts in Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming India's strength on the global stage.

The controversy surrounding these remarks has added fuel to the political debate ahead of Bihar's Assembly elections. Voting for the first phase of the elections, covering 121 constituencies, will take place on November 6, with the second phase on November 11. The results will be declared on November 14.