'Don't drag Army into politics': Rajnath Singh slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks on Indian Army

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday strongly reacted to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's comments on the Indian Army. Speaking at a public rally in Bihar's Banka district, Singh urged Rahul Gandhi to avoid linking the Army with political narratives and emphasised that soldiers follow only one religion which is "Sainya Dharma" He said, "There should be a reservation. We (the BJP) are also supporters of reservations. We have given reservations to the poor. But about the Army?... Our army soldiers have only one religion. That religion is 'Sainya Dharma'. There is no other religion besides this. Don't drag our army into politics. Whenever this country has faced a crisis, our soldiers have raised India's head high by demonstrating their bravery and valour."

The Defence Minister said caste or sect-based politics has damaged the country. He said that the aim should be equal upliftment for every social group and said India’s culture has never promoted discrimination. "This



politics of caste, sect, and religion has caused great harm to the country, and our thinking is that all sections of society should be uplifted. We aim to include all sections of society. We do not want to discriminate based on caste, sect, or religion. The sages and people of our country have never even thought about this," Singh added.

Rajnath Singh's reaction came a day after Rahul Gandhi said in a rally in Kutumba that the Indian Army is "under the control of 10% of the country's population. In an election campaign rally on Tuesday, Gandhi claimed that the Indian Army is "under the control of 10% of the country's population," apparently referring to the dominance of upper castes in the institution. He highlighted the issue of economic inequality in India, stating that despite 90% of the population belonging to marginalised communities, including Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, and minorities, they are underrepresented in corporate India, bureaucracy, judiciary, and other key institutions.