‘Bangladesh-style regime change’: Rajnath Singh accuses Congress, ally of fomenting ‘anarchy’ amid anti-CEC protests | Today’s news
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday attacked Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, the Congress Party and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and harnessing youth energy to spread “anarchy”.
At a press conference in Lucknow, Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the license to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.
Read also | “Any act of terrorism from Pakistan will demand a stronger response”: Rajnath Singh
“The Congress and its political allies, directly and through their support organizations, seem to be trying to harness the energy of the youth to promote political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channeling it into constructive work and state building,” he said.
“The youth of the country are becoming pawns in the politics of anarchy,” he declared.
Singh claimed that the Congress and its allies wanted a change of government in India on the lines of Bangladesh.
“They openly say in press conferences that they took inspiration from Bangladesh for regime change, while another openly talks about overthrowing the government. This makes it clear that their only agenda is to dismantle democratic institutions and set the country on fire,” he said, referring to the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Singh did not name anyone, but may have been referring to allegations surrounding AISA leader Neh Bor, who said the current wave of protests was inspired by the Gen Z protests in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024, which eventually led to regime change. BJP leaders condemned Bora’s remarks, although she condemned religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh in the same video.
Hasina is in exile in India.
Didn’t BJP protest before 2024 for regime change?
Activist and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan also said during the press conference that the protests are being held against what he called “regime change”. “Didn’t BJP protest before 2024 for regime change?” Bhushan said at a press conference
The defense minister said the use of terms such as “regime change” showed that the opposition’s campaign was not about electoral reforms or matters related to the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls.
His remarks come amid massive protests in the state capital by opposition parties and civil society groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
Read also | Imran Khan moves Bombay High Court against ‘Quit India’ notice.
Opposition leaders claimed the exercise lacked transparency and could exclude eligible voters.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations on Thursday, Singh said Gandhi and his allies must understand that democracy does not permit attempts to create anarchy, undermine constitutional institutions or limit India’s development.
“Respect for law is also essential to maintain law and order. India’s democratic institutions cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political interests,” he said.
Singh added that lies, anger, attempts to denigrate institutions and political opportunism cannot hinder India’s development.
He advised Gandhi to respect the mandate of the people and introspect on his political role instead of continuing what he called “politics of destruction” in the name of protecting democracy.
“The youth of the country are becoming pawns in the politics of anarchy,” Singh said.
“India’s future is everyone’s responsibility. We must choose the path of dialogue and nation-building, not confrontation,” Singh said.
