‘Indira Locked Democracy Behind Bars; Conspiracy to Seize Power by Anarchy': Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a broadside against the Congress, accusing it of undermining constitutional institutions, politicising the Election Commission and using youth-led protests to create unrest. He alleged that the opposition was seeking regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and urged Rahul Gandhi to respect the electoral mandate.

Addressing press conferences in Lucknow, Singh described the Congress’s current criticism of the Election Commission and the electoral process as its “fourth unforgivable crime”, following what he characterised as three major historical transgressions under Congress rule.

“I want to remind you that in the year 1975, Indira Gandhi locked democracy behind bars. And today, Rahul-ji is attempting to spread anarchy while keeping the Constitution in his pocket,” Singh said.

He cited the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the killings of Ram devotees and kar sevaks in 1990 as the first three alleged crimes. He accused the party of committing the fourth by attacking the Constitution, constitutional values and institutions.

“India’s democratic institutions cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political self-interest,” Singh said, accusing Rahul Gandhi of resorting to what he called manufactured outrage and a politics of disruption.

‘Congress Turned Election Commission Into Its Puppet’

Singh also accused the Congress of attempting to control the Election Commission during its time in power, citing appointments made in 1993.

He alleged that the government had appointed two Election Commissioners overnight and referred to former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami’s letter to the President recommending the removal of Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla. According to Singh, Gopalaswami had accused Chawla of sharing sensitive information from the poll body with Congress leaders.

Singh alleged that the Congress had protected Chawla and later appointed him Chief Election Commissioner because of his proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

The defence minister also challenged Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “vote chori”, arguing that the Congress had struggled to secure a parliamentary majority since voter identity cards were introduced.

“Congress claims that its votes have been stolen. But I want to remind you that in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress last won in 1985. It won in 1985, and after 1984, the Congress has not secured a majority in the country,” Singh said.

Taking a swipe at Gandhi’s earlier description of his allegations as a “hydrogen bomb”, Singh said the claims had failed to deliver the impact the Congress leader had promised.

“This so-called hydrogen bomb of his didn’t even turn out to be a Diwali firecracker,” he said.

Allegations Over Anti-EC Protests

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.

Accusing Congress and its allies of using the demonstrations to fuel political confrontation, Singh alleged that youth were being turned into “pawns in the politics of disorder”.

“The developments that have taken place in Delhi over the past few days raise several serious questions,” he said, claiming that opposition parties and affiliated organisations were directing young people away from nation-building towards political confrontation.

Singh further alleged that some protesters were seeking regime change inspired by developments in Bangladesh, while others were openly calling for the government’s removal.

He claimed the protests were not merely about electoral reform or Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but were part of an attempt to seize power by creating disorder.

“Instead of engaging in the ‘politics of disruption’ in the name of defending democracy, Rahul ji should respect the public mandate and introspect on his political role,” Singh said.

With inputs from ANI