"Congress Can Extend Reservation For Religious Minorities To Armed Forces": Rajnath Singh Attacks Divisive Politics

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday (24 April) criticised Congress for its divisive politics and accused the Congress manifesto of hinting towards reservations for religious minorities in government jobs.

He expressed apprehensions that "if implemented, this (religion-based reservation) can be extended to armed forces which will negatively affect the country's unity and integrity."

He recalled the 2006 Sachar Committee report which recommended "a religion-based census within the armed forces." He asserted the BJP being in Opposition at that time, vehemently opposed this.

"Congress' real face is this. It wants to divide every institute and every profession in this country. BJP has always opposed this... Countrymen should be aware of this," he added.

Singh targeted Congress leader Sam Pitroda's statement on the US's 55 per cent inheritance tax and asked, "What does Congress want to do? Does it want to implement the same here?"

He also recalled the Ranganath Commission's (formed by the UPA government) report which recommended 6 per cent reservation for Muslims and 2 per cent for minorities from the 27 per cent OBC quota.

"I am talking about this because Congress has again and again tried to divide the country based on religion. Congress also wanted to provide SC reservation despite religious conversion," Singh added.

"You will be shocked to know that in Jamia Milia University and Aligarh Muslim University, SC/ST reservation was abolished. This is the limit of Congress' vote bank politics," he emphasised.

He alleged that Congress' politics is of appeasement and it wants to bring religion-based reservation through "backdoor" as its manifesto reads that it will "ensure" opportunities for minorities.