Rajnath Singh Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Stirring Anarchy Over Army Remarks
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create “anarchy” in India by raising issues of caste and reservation within the armed forces. Singh’s comments came at a rally in Bihar where he criticised Gandhi’s remark that “10 per cent of India controls the Army.” He warned against dragging the military into political disputes and stressed that the forces are above caste and religion.
Claims and Counter-Claims
Singh claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s call for reservations in the defence services amounts to political agitation rather than reform. He argued that such statements undermine the “Sainya Dharma” of the army and sought to frame the opposition leader’s stance as a threat to national stability. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s team maintained that his remarks were aimed at promoting social justice and diversity in the armed forces, not destabilisation.
Political Context & Significance
The exchange reflects growing tension ahead of the upcoming state elections in Bihar and highlights how national security and military credentials are being used in political debate. Analysts note that by framing Gandhi’s comments as tantamount to creating anarchy, the government is signalling a tougher posture on dissent concerning defence matters. The controversy could influence how parties engage with issues of caste, the armed forces and national identity in election discourse.
