Congress demands resignation of Rajnath Singh in Operation Sindoor death controversy
The Defense Ministry also accused critics of selectively quoting Mr. Singh’s statement in Parliament in July 2025 to falsely suggest that he claimed that no Indian soldiers had died during Operation Sindoor. File | Photo credit: ANI
The Congress on Monday (June 29, 2026) stepped up its attack on the Center over the death of six military personnel during Operation Sindoor, demanding the resignation of Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him of “lying” in Parliament by saying that no Indian soldier was killed in the operation.
The party also demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress Ex-Servicemen’s Department Chairman Colonel Rohit Chaudhry (retd) and Wing Commander Anuma Acharya (retd) said at a press conference that by covering up the deaths of six personnel – five from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force – during an operation in May 2025, they denied Narendra Modi and public recognition.
Wing Commander Acharya claimed that previous governments had publicly honored every soldier who made the supreme sacrifice and accused the current dispensation of “politicizing the armed forces”.
“The Modi government, which politicizes the army and soldiers, has repeatedly betrayed the country and the soldiers,” she said.
Colonel Chaudhry accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using “soldiers as props” to seek votes on behalf of the armed forces.
“When Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lied in Parliament that no soldier was martyred, BJP MPs applauded. Rajnath Singh has insulted the army and soldiers of the country. We demand his resignation,” Col Chaudhry said.
He claimed Mr Singh had “insulted” the soldiers who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor and questioned why it took 13 months for their names to be released.
“The foundations of the Modi government are built on lies. They have no right to stay in power,” he said.
Enumerating the party’s demands, Colonel Chaudhry said the Congress would urge its leadership to file a breach of privilege motion against the defense minister.
He also called on Mr. Modi and BJP MPs to publicly apologize for supporting what he described as “Mr. Singh’s lies” and reiterated the Congress’s demand to scrap the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
The controversy intensified after the government recently released the names of the martyred soldiers who were inscribed on the National War Memorial more than a year after the operation.
The government rejected the opposition’s allegations, saying the nation paid tribute to the fallen staff at the “nearest opportunity” and that their memory was honored with the dignity and respect it deserved.
The Defense Ministry also accused critics of selectively quoting Mr. Singh’s statement in Parliament in July 2025 to falsely suggest that he claimed that no Indian soldiers had died during Operation Sindoor. Social media posts have distorted the minister’s remarks by taking them out of context, the Defense Ministry said.
Published – 29 Jun 2026 22:50 IST