Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday accused the Congress and its political allies of attempting to bring about regime change in India along the lines of Bangladesh, alleging that opposition parties
were using youth-led protests against the Election Commission to create political unrest and destabilise the country.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Singh said the developments in Delhi over the past few days raised serious questions about the opposition’s intentions.
He alleged that the Congress and its affiliated organisations were attempting to divert the energy of young people away from nation-building and towards political confrontation and disorder.
“The developments that have taken place in Delhi over the past few days raise several serious questions. It appears that the Congress and its political allies, both directly and through their affiliated organisations, are attempting to channel the energy of young people not into constructive activities and nation-building, but into instruments of political confrontation and the spread of chaos,” Singh said.
He alleged that the opposition wanted to turn the country’s youth into “pawns in the politics of disorder”, claiming that some leaders had openly expressed their inspiration from Bangladesh’s political developments.
“They want to bring about ‘regime change’ along the lines of Bangladesh. In one press conference, someone openly stated that they had drawn inspiration from Bangladesh for regime change. Another person openly talks about toppling the government,” he said.
Singh further alleged that the opposition’s objective was to undermine democratic institutions and seize power by creating an atmosphere of anarchy in the country.
“Attempts are being made to use the nation’s youth as pawns in a politics of chaos. Some seek a regime change, modelled after the events in Bangladesh, openly admitting that they drew inspiration from the situation in Bangladesh. Others, meanwhile, brazenly call for the toppling of the government.”
“This makes it clear that their sole agenda is to dismantle democratic institutions and set the country ablaze. Their struggle is not for electoral reform, nor is it about SIR or Gyanesh Kumar. It is not for the sake of a bright future for the nation’s youth. Rather, it is a conspiracy to seize power by inciting anarchy in the country,” the Defence Minister said.
Rajnath Singh Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Election Commission Row
Singh’s remarks came amid protests by opposition leaders, INDIA bloc parties and student organisations against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The opposition has also raised concerns over the electoral process and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Defence Minister accused the opposition of using electoral reforms and criticism of the Election Commission as a pretext to create unrest.
He said constitutional institutions should not be undermined for political gains and called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to respect the public mandate.
“India’s constitutional bodies cannot be made sacrificial for political interests. This needs to be understood. Through false outrage, attempts to malign institutions and political opportunism, India’s development journey cannot be affected. Instead of indulging in politics of disruption, Rahul Gandhi should respect the public mandate and do self-introspection of his political role,” Singh said.
He also maintained that democracy did not give political parties the licence to create disorder or obstruct the country’s development, reiterating that constitutional institutions must be protected from political interference.
Opposition Accused Of Attempting To Destabilise Country
Singh’s attack on the Congress and its allies centred on his allegation that their protests were not genuinely aimed at electoral reform but were intended to create political instability.
He argued that political disagreements should not become a means of undermining democratic institutions or obstructing India’s development. The Defence Minister also accused the opposition of attempting to turn public anger into a broader campaign against the government.
The remarks mark a sharp escalation in the political confrontation between the ruling side and the opposition over the Election Commission, electoral reforms and the SIR exercise, with Singh framing the protests as part of a wider attempt to destabilise the country.
