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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday came down heavily on the Congress-led opposition for “raising questions” about Operation Sindoor “instead of paying tributes to the valour displayed by our armed forces”.
Addressing a function organised by a media house here, the former BJP president also alleged that the Congress had been “soft” on insurgency while in power, and tried to “frame innocent people” by spinning the theory of “saffron terror” because of “vote bank” considerations.
“Recently, we had discussions in both Houses of Parliament on Operation Sindoor. Both debates lasted for 16 hours each. The opposition, which had started off on a belligerent note, was left dumbstruck,” Singh claimed.Singh said it is “regrettable” that the opposition was raising questions on Operation Sindoor, “which saw our valiant armed forced destroying so many terror hideouts”.
The occasion warranted paying tributes to the country’s armed forces, he said.
“This has been the tradition in the past. During the war of 1971, (when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister), our leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee had wholeheartedly supported the government of the day,” Singh said.
He also acknowledged that “political and social unity” had been on display in 1999, when Vajpayee was the PM, and Kargil happened, adding, “such unity is essential to root out terror once and for all”.
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The defence minister also drew a contrast between the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, characterised by “decisive action against terror”, and the “soft” stance of the past Congress governments, weighed down by concerns of “vote bank” and “politics of appeasement”.
“People still shudder to recall the pre-2014 era, when terror attacks had become the order of the day. A series of bomb explosions were seen in this very city,” said Singh, referring to the serial blasts that had rocked the Gandhi Maidan in 2013, when he was sharing the stage with Modi, then the chief minister of Gujarat and the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, during the latter’s maiden rally in Bihar.
“Elsewhere, like we saw in the Malegaon blast case, innocent people were framed in the name of saffron terror. The judge who delivered the judgment made the remark that terror has no religion. This is exactly what we have been saying all along,” the senior BJP leader said.
All the accused in the case, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur, were recently acquitted.
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Singh, who had held the Home portfolio in the previous Narendra Modi cabinet, said, “Vote bank politics weakens the nation’s fight against terror. In the last 11 years, our resolve against the menace has grown stronger. The morale of our armed forces is skyrocketing. Anything that dampens this enthusiasm is neither in national interest nor in public interest.” Singh also touched upon the “rapid economic progress” under Modi, asserting, “We were the 11th largest economy of the world a decade ago. Today, we are occupying the fourth spot. No power can now stop us from reaching the top. The country is in safe hands, and so is Bihar, with the NDA in power. May this winning combination go from strength to strength.”
Rajnath Singh Flays Opposition for Raising 7 Questions on Operation Sindoor in Parliament
In a fiery session of Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly criticized the opposition for what he described as “unwarranted and politically motivated” questioning of Operation Sindoor. The minister’s remarks came after several opposition MPs sought clarifications on the operation’s objectives, execution, and reported outcomes.
Background on Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, launched earlier this year, was a high-profile military and strategic initiative aimed at strengthening India’s security posture in sensitive border regions. While official details remain classified due to national security concerns, government sources have described it as a “success in safeguarding territorial integrity and boosting regional stability.”
According to reports, the operation involved joint coordination between the Army, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, along with advanced surveillance and logistical support. The name “Sindoor” is symbolic, reflecting both India’s cultural heritage and the mission’s protective purpose.
The Opposition’s Seven Questions
During the Parliamentary debate, opposition members raised seven specific questions regarding:
The strategic necessity of the operation.
The total expenditure incurred.
The scale of troop deployment.
Casualty and injury figures, if any.
The duration of the operation.
The long-term strategic benefits.
The reasons for limited public disclosure.
Opposition leaders argued that transparency is essential to ensure public trust and avoid any misuse of taxpayer funds.
Rajnath Singh’s Response
Rajnath Singh firmly rejected the opposition’s allegations and defended the confidentiality surrounding Operation Sindoor.
He stated:
“National security is not a matter for political point-scoring. Operations of such sensitivity cannot be dissected in public forums without risking the safety of our personnel and the success of future missions.”
The Defence Minister emphasized that all necessary oversight mechanisms were in place, with details fully shared with relevant parliamentary committees in closed-door briefings.
A Call for Unity on Security Issues
Singh urged lawmakers to avoid politicizing matters of defence and security, calling instead for a united front. He pointed out that India faces multiple challenges on its borders and that operational secrecy is essential to counter adversarial moves.
“When our forces put their lives on the line, we owe them our trust and support, not doubt and division,” Singh asserted, receiving applause from ruling party members.
Public and Expert Reactions
Security experts largely sided with the minister, noting that many countries maintain strict secrecy around defence operations to prevent intelligence leaks. Some political analysts, however, acknowledged that the opposition has a role in asking questions but cautioned that such discussions should be handled in confidential forums.
Looking Ahead
Operation Sindoor has reportedly achieved its immediate objectives, but the full impact will only be visible in the coming months. Meanwhile, the debate in Parliament underscores a recurring challenge in democratic governance — balancing the public’s right to know with the imperative of national security.