Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday accused the Congress of wanting to divide “every institution” in society on the basis of religion, stating that the party’s manifesto hinted at bringing in religion-based reservations which could extend to the armed forces. The situation was a disturbing development for the unity of the country, Mr. Singh added.
The Defence Minister was speaking at a public meeting in the coastal town of Vishakhapatnam as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Telugu Desam Party-Jana Sena alliance’s campaign for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
Drawing a connection to the Sachar Committee’s report wanting a religion-based headcount in the armed forces, Mr. Singh alleged that the Congress would go forth with communal reservations in the armed forces were it to come to power. The Sachar Committee was set up in 2006 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
