Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sharply criticized the Congress-led opposition on Saturday for questioning the success of Operation Sindoor, a May 6-7 military strike that neutralized nine terror hideouts in Pakistan in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26. Speaking at a media house event in Patna, Singh called it “regrettable” that the opposition failed to honor the armed forces’ valor, instead raising doubts during 16-hour debates in both Houses of Parliament. “Their belligerence left them dumbstruck,” he claimed, urging tributes to the military’s bravery.

Singh contrasted the current government’s decisive anti-terror stance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Congress’s “soft” approach pre-2014, accusing it of “vote-bank politics” and “appeasement.” He referenced the 2013 Gandhi Maidan serial blasts in Patna, which targeted a BJP rally, to highlight past security failures. Singh also criticized the Congress for promoting the “saffron terror” narrative, citing the Malegaon blast case where all accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur, were acquitted in 2025. “The judge ruled terror has no religion, echoing our stand,” he said.

Recalling bipartisan support during the 1971 war under Indira Gandhi and the 1999 Kargil conflict under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh stressed that “political and social unity” is vital to eradicate terrorism. He warned that undermining the armed forces’ morale harms national and public interest. Singh also highlighted India’s economic rise from the 11th to the fourth largest economy under Modi, crediting the NDA’s leadership in Bihar and nationally for ensuring progress and security. “No power can stop India from reaching the top,” he asserted, calling for continued support for the BJP-NDA alliance.

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