News Analysis India

Tag: Rajnath Singh

  • No development in 10 years, Mamata took Bengal back to 19th century, says Rajnath

    By PTI
    JOYPUR: Accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “taking back Bengal to the 19th century, with no development work undertaken in the past 10 years”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the TMC dispensation, just like its predecessor, the Left Front, has wronged the people of the state.

    Singh, who addressed a series of public meetings in Purulia, Bankura and South 24 Parganas districts, took at dig at the TMC’s khela hobe (game will be played) slogan, and said Bengal, now on, will witness only work and development.

    Alleging that the TMC supremo delivers speeches encouraging acts of violence and aggression, the union minister said, “Unke bhashan mein bhi hingsha hote hai. woh kehti hai ke isko mar bhagao, usko bartan se pit pit kar bhagao (During her speeches, she talks of violence. she asks people to beat up and oust a few, hit others with utensils).”

    He wondered if the chief minister “seeks to divide the country” by repeatedly terming people who have come from other states as outsiders.

    Stressing that the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, which later became the BJP, was established by Syama Prasad Mookerjee — a son of Bengal — Singh said, “Will any brother from this state be considered an outsider in Uttar Pradesh? All people born on the soil of India are brothers to each other.”

    Claiming that the TMC dispensation has done nothing for the people of Bengal, Singh said, “How is it possible that those belonging to one party (BJP) are outsiders, while you, having ruined Bengal, are an insider? The CM, instead of undertaking development work, makes thoughtless remarks.

    “Neither ‘Maa nor mati or manush’ (mother, motherland, and people) feel safe in the state.”

    ‘Maa, Mati, manush’ is another slogan that was coined by the TMC during 2009 general election.

    Singh further accused Banerjee of not fulfilling her promise of putting an end to water crisis in Purulia.

    “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his part, has promised piped water availablility in every household of the country by the end of 2024,” the defence minister stated.

    Drawing parallels between the BJP and former India cricket captain Saurav Ganguly, he said just like the stylish southpaw, who hit a sixer whenever he stepped out of the crease, people have placed the saffron party across the crease during the Lok Sabha polls by giving it 18 seats in West Bengal.

    No one can now stop us from hitting a sixer,” he said.

    Maintaining that the BJP government at the Centre has never discriminated against the people of the state, as often alleged by the TMC, the senior saffron party leader said, “The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had given Rs 1.32 lakh crore to Bengal under the 13th Finance Commission, while the Modi government allotted Rs 4.48 lakh crore to the state under the 14th Finance Commission.”

    Noting that more than 150 saffron camp workers have been killed in West Bengal, the senir BJP leader said that it is the responsibility of the state’s chief minister to ensure the safety and security of its people, no matter which party they bore allegiance to.

    “Bomb-making factories are openly being run in Bengal. If the same had happened in Uttar Pradesh (of which he was once the chief minister), the matter would have been dealt with sternly.”

    “The BJP, if allowed to form government in Bengal, will make security arrangements not just for saffron camp workers, but also those belonging to the Congress, Left and the TMC,” he said, exuding confidence that his party will bag more than 200 seats in the state.

    Emphasising that the BJP is not a party that creates enmity between people, he said, the TMC supremo has been trying to divide the people of Bengal on religious lines.

    “The BJP will not practice discrimination on the basis of religion. It would rather punish anyone creating trouble or indulging in such crimes. Now no one will be able to stop Durga Puja celebrations or Saraswati Puja in Bengal,” he said.

    Controversy had erupted in 2017 at a school in Tehatta, Nadia district, over celebration of Saraswati puja, with one section of students apparently trying to stop another group from observing the festival.

    In that very year, the West Bengal government had imposed curbs on Durga idol immersion, as the occasion coincided with Muharram, but the high court later eased the restrictions.

    Insisting that the country has become stronger under the Narendra Modi dispensation, the Defence Minister said that the Indian Army “stood firm” during a face-off with China in Ladakh, referring to the incursions by the Chinese PLA and the disengagement of the armies thereafter.

    He also said that the country has taught Pakistan a lesson with airstrikes on terror bases to eliminate ultras, following attacks in Uri and Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Modiji has a 56-inch chest. If you want to see a strong India, you have to bring the BJP government to power in Bengal as well,” he said.

  • Will not allow politics over illegal immigration in Assam: Rajnath

    Addressing an election rally here, he said the BJP government has set up electronic surveillance across the Indo-Bangla border in Assam to stop infiltration from the neighbouring country.

  • Elevating defence partnership with India priority of Biden admin: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  India’s current security challenges like tension with China on the Line of Actual Control and human rights were among issues that figured in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin, who is on a two-day trip to India, on Saturday.

    Sources said that Austin raised the issue of human rights during his meeting with Jaishankar and said that “as the two largest democracies in the world, human rights and values are important to us and we will lead with these values”.

    Sources added that Jaishankar agreed and emphasised that a strong relationship between the two democracies was not only important for both countries but for the rest of the world as well.

    Later, at a media briefing, Austin said, “India is our partner whose partnership we value. And I think partners need to be able to have those kinds of discussions. And certainly, we feel comfortable in doing that and you can have those discussions in a very meaningful way and still make progress.”

    The issue of human rights was raised amid global concerns raised over the government’s handling of the farmer protest, alleged persecution of minorities and independent voices being gagged. Ahead of Llyod’s visit, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had written to the defence secretary urging him to take up the issue during his visit.

    On India-China tension, Austin said in his press briefing that the US never thought the two countries were on the brink of war. Sources said that during the meeting that lasted an hour, the two leaders also discussed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the Afghanistan situation in detail. 

    Earlier, Austin held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the two countries decided to increase interaction between their armed forces, specifically with the US military commands having their operations into the Indian Ocean Region, Eastern Coasts of Africa and the Gulf.

    “We reviewed the wide gamut of bilateral and multilateral exercises and agreed to pursue enhanced cooperation with the US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command and Africa Command. Acknowledging that we have in place the foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA, we discussed steps to be taken to realise their full potential for mutual benefit,” Singh said.

    The defence minister quoted the recent Quad summit resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Both India and the US share concerns over increased maritime activities including the patrolling by the Chinese warships and submarines into Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific region.

    Singh said the discussions focussed on wide-ranging defence cooperation and expanding military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence and mutual logistics support. This is the first official visit abroad by a top functionary of the new Biden administration.

    Convey message of commitment

    Austin said his visit was about conveying the Biden administration’s message of the US’s strong commitment to its allies and partners. “India is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics,” he said

    Looking for like-minded allies

    The US Defense Secretary He said there was discussion on engagement with like-minded partners through multilateral groupings such as the Quad and ASEAN. The 10-nation ASEAN is a key stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region

    Condoling death of pilot in crash

    Austin condoled the death of a Group Captain of the Indian Air Force in an accident involving a Mig-21 Bison aircraft in Gwalior this week. “I would like to express my condolences for the tragic accident that killed an Indian Air Force pilot,” he said.

  • BJP’s performance in upcoming Bengal polls will be like Sourav Ganguly’s batting: Rajnath Singh

    By ANI
    WEST MIDNAPORE: Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that whenever former Indian skipper and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly stepped out of the crease, it was sure that he would hit a six, similarily, the BJP has crossed the crease and will surely hit a six in upcoming polls and form the government in West Bengal.

    “Whenever Sourav Ganguly crossed the crease, it was sure that he would hit a six. Likewise, with your support in Lok Sabha, we have crossed the crease and surely we will hit a six in Assembly polls and form BJP government here,” said the Union Minister while addressing a public meeting here.

    These comments come at a time when speculation is rife over Ganguly joining BJP ahead of the polls.

    Earlier today, the Defence Minister had said the BJP will form the government in West Bengal with a clear majority.

    “The numbers in 2019 Lok Sabha polls is an indication of the change that is going to happen in Bengal with the upcoming state Legislative Assembly election,” Singh said.

    Asked if going to elections without a Chief Minister candidate face will cause a loss to the BJP, he said, “No. Ours is a democratic party. The elected MLAs will choose their leader.”

    Elections to 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

  • BJP meet: Rajnath urges dialogue between farmers, government over agri laws

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday urged dialogue between the protesting farmers and the Centre while addressing a meeting of BJP office-bearers, during which he also invoked the border clashes with China and the construction of the Ram temple.

    Making an appeal to farmers upset over the new agri-marketing laws, the senior BJP leader said any problem can be resolved through talks.

    “The BJP resolve is to double the farmers’ income, and in no case the MSP will end,” he said, referring to the apprehension among farmers camping at Delhi’s borders for months now.

    “We are all from farmers’ families and we are ready for amendments and solutions, whatever is needed in the interest of agriculture,” Singh said at the inaugural meeting of the Uttar Pradesh BJP executive committee.

    He highlighted the role of grassroots workers in the Bharatiya Janata Party and said this was the only party which has not seen a split so far.

    “This is not a crowd of workers aiming to gain power but a lively party which has a political vision,” he said.

    He referred to the recently begun construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, after the historic verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute.

    “People used to say that whenever elections come, BJP leaders speak about construction of the Ram temple,” he said, referring to the foundation laying ceremony last year.

    “It is a coincidence that when the structure fell in Ayodhya, there was a BJP government in UP, and Kalyan Singh was the chief minister,” Singh said, alluding to the demolition of the Babri mosque.

    And when the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram temple was laid, there was a BJP government in UP, and Yogiji was the chief minister,” he added.

    On the face-off with China in Ladakh last year, the minister said, “Our Army jawans displayed courage and valour with patience. We don’t wish to attack anyone but will not tolerate the grabbing of our land.”

    He said no power on earth can stop India from becoming a global superpower.

    Singh claimed that in the 2022 UP Assembly elections the BJP will get more seats than its 2017 tally.

    Addressing party workers, he said they cannot complain of any injustice to them by the party, though there can be “delays”.

    Giving his own example, Singh said he did not make any demands from the party and just kept working.

    “We are lucky that we got an opportunity to become BJP worker,” he added.

    “Credibility is the biggest capital in politics,” he said, pointing at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “Be it the abrogation of Article 370, triple talaq or bhoomi pujan for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, there has been no doubt over our credibility. We do not indulge in politics of caste or religion, but that of humanity,” he said.

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma and UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh attended the meeting.

    He called for a feeling of pride towards the country.

    “Sixty per cent of the COVID vaccines in the world have been prepared in India, and scientists who developed the vaccines should be congratulated,” Singh, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow, said.

    Referring to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Singh said, “When the prime minister took a broom in his hand some people in the party asked whether this will fetch votes.”

    “But the World Health Organisation said the cleanliness movement has changed India’s health scenario,” he added.

    Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the Opposition for raising questions over encounters of criminals and alleged that they always patronised the organised crime.

    “It is quite natural for them to feel upset because the criminals nurtured by them are on the run in the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh,” Adityanath said.

    “It is the zero tolerance policy of my government that the goons who used to get political protection are going to other states and begging for their lives,” he added.

    The UP chief minister said the Centre has formulated policies to provide housing to the poor, cooking gas connections and spared no effort to double the income of farmers.

    Calling them as the real strength of the government, he exhorted party workers to publicise the schemes of the Centre and the state government.

    Adityanath said the Congress has only been misleading farmers.

  • Congress-AIUDF alliance forged to grab power in Assam, divide people on religious lines: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI
    ASSAM: Attacking the Congress for forging an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday alleged that the opposition grouping is only interested in grabbing power by dividing people on religious lines.

    Terrorism and insurgency have declined in the state leading to the speeding up of the government’s development activities, the senior BJP leader said while addressing rallies in Biswanath, Gohpur and Dergaon assembly seats where election will be held in the first phase on March 27.

    The BJP is the only party that has given due respect and recognition to the icons of Assam at the national level, he claimed.

    “What has happened to the Congress? When Tarun Gogoi was chief minister for 15 years, he never allied with the AIUDF. But today, they are with the AIUDF. Why? Is it only because of winning elections and grabbing power?” Singh said at Dergaon.

    The Congress, which was in power for 15 years in Assam since 2001, has formed a Grand Alliance consisting of the AIUDF and six other parties to fight the election for the 126 -member assembly against the BJP-led NDA.

    He also attacked the opposition party accusing it of dividing the country and the state in the name of religion.

    “The BJP does not do the politics of religion. We are into the politics of humanity for humans,” he said.

    The saffron party leader said that alliances should be forged with an intention to serve the country, not just to form governments.

    The BJP is contesting this election in an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), which are part of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) — the regional arm of the NDA.

    Earlier in Biswanath, Singh said that peace has returned to the state with the members of a number of insurgent groups laying down arms in the last five years.

    “When I knew that I would come to Biswanath, the 2014 massacre of Adivasis here came to my mind… But now, that situation is not there. There cannot be better news than hearing about the prevailing peace in the region,” he added.

    NDFB(S) militants killed at least 81 people, including 76 Adivasis, in Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Baksa and Chirang districts in December 2014.

    Biswanath district was created carving out a part of Sonitpur district.

    After Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed charge in May 2014, the central government resolved to end all forms of terror and insurgency activities, said Singh, who was the Union home minister at the time of the killings.

    “So many groups have laid down arms in these years…The Assam condition has improved a lot compared to the earlier days. Now, only development and rapid progress are happening,” the senior BJP leader said.

    On the problem of illegal immigration from Bangladesh, Singh said that the BJP-led government has sealed the land border barring a small portion and installed an electronic surveillance system along the riverine border.

    Whatever minimum portion is left unfenced, it will be sealed once the BJP government returns to power in Assam, he said.

    Singh informed the gathering that the BJP government in Tripura is also working in the direction to stop infiltration from the neighbouring country.

    “When there will be a BJP government in West Bengal along with Tripura and Assam, no one will dare to cross our borders illegally. When the results of the Assembly elections will be declared on May 2, you will see the BJP forming government in West Bengal and Assam,” he added.

    Paying respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the borders, the defence minister said that the BJP is fully committed to internal security and protection of international borders.

    Without naming Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Singh said: “A congress leader recently came here and visited tea gardens. She was seen plucking tea leaves. What was the need for this tokenism? I feel there should be concrete work on the ground.”

    He appealed to people to ask Congress leaders when they come to seek votes what development their party had made when it was in power in the state.

    “The development that the Congress did not carry out in all the years took place only during the five years of the BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,” Singh said.

    Nobody could level a single charge of corruption against either Sonowal or any of his ministers, he claimed.

    At the rally in Gohpur, the senior BJP leader claimed that the people of the state were neglected by politicians in Delhi before Prime Minister Narendra Modis government was formed in 2014.

    Modi ensured that one Union minister would visit Assam and the Northeastern states every month to listen to the problems of this region, he added.

    Only the BJP has given due respect and recognition to the icons of the state at the national level, he said.

    “The people of the North East are courageous and they can take risks. Assam has given birth to a hero like Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. For the country, he even killed his own uncle,” the Defence Minister said.

    In the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, Ahom general Lachit Borphukan defeated the Mughal force led by Raja Ramsingh-I.

    The National Defence Academy has the best cadet award in Lachit Borphukan’s name, while a Coast Guard ship was named after Kanaklata, who sacrificed her life fighting for the independence of the country, Singh said.

    The Bharat Ratna award was also conferred on music legend Dr Bhupen Hazarika by the Modi government, he said.

  • US defence secretary’s India visit next week, inclusive Indo-Pacific region top on agenda

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: US Secretary of Defence General Lloyd J Austin will visit India from 19 to 21 March 2021. During his visit, Secretary Austin is expected to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior dignitaries of the Government of India.

    Bharat Bhushan Babu, Spokesperson Ministry of Defence, said, “Both sides are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.”

    Discussions regarding defence cooperation would also focus on how both countries could consolidate military-to-military cooperation and defence trade and industry cooperation, added Mr Babu.

    Secretary Austin’s visit to India as part of his first overseas travel emphasizes the strength of the India-US strategic partnership.

    Austin’s India sojourn is a part of his larger visit to Indo-Pacific nations. His visit would commence a day after the premiers of India, Australia, Japan and the US hold first “Leaders Summit” on March 12.

    In a series of tweets, Austin said, “I’ll then travel to India to meet with my counterpart, Minister of Defense @RajnathSingh, and other senior national security leaders to discuss deepening the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership and advancing cooperation between our countries.”

    In a quote retweet, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Looking forward to your visit, Secretary Austin.”

    US Department of Defence said in its release, “In India, Secretary Austin will meet with his counterpart, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, and other senior national security leaders to discuss deepening the US-India Major Defence Partnership and advancing cooperation between our countries for a free, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean Region.”

    Secretary Austin will be visiting Japan and Korea too to meet with his counterparts and other senior officials to discuss the importance of international defence relationships, and reinforce the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region — founded on respect for international rules, laws and norms, the release said.

    In his first leg of the tour, Austin will visit US Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii, wherein he will meet with US troops and senior commanders and highlight his vision for the Indo-Pacific region as a priority theater for the Department.

    After Hawaii, he will visit to Japan, where US Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken join him for the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”).

    In his third leg of his visit, he will embark to the Republic of Korea with his colleague Blinken.

    Last February, Foreign Ministers of QUAD nations held virtual meeting, wherein they agreed to work toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific” region.

  • DRDO successfully proves land-based prototype of AIP system

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after it successfully proved the land-based prototype of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.

    “Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and the Industry for this significant achievement,” tweeted the official handle of Raksha Mantri.

    “DRDO successfully proved the land-based prototype of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system on March 8. The plant was operated in endurance mode and max power mode as per the user requirements. AIP system is being developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) DRDO,” tweeted DRDO.

    “AIP has a force multiplier effect on the lethality of a diesel-electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat, several folds. Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies,” informed DRDO.  

  • Defence Minister Rajanth Singh appreciates courage of soldiers during Ladakh standoff with PLA

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday attended the Combined Commanders Conference of the Armed Forces and delivering the inaugural address he appreciated the selfless courage displayed by the Indian Army soldiers during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

    The Ministry of Defence stated, “Defence Minister expressed his heartfelt appreciation and respect to the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with PLA.”

    Delivering the inaugural address, the Raksha Mantri dwelled on a wide spectrum of issues affecting the defence and security of the Nation. He spoke at length on the emerging nature of military threats, the critical role of the Armed Forces in meeting these threats and the anticipated changes in the nature of warfare in future, added the MoD.

    Rajnath Singh joined the Combined Commanders of the Armed Forces for the Vivechana Sessions at the ongoing Combined Commanders Conference 2021 at Kevadia in Gujarat. Secretaries of Department of Defence, Defence Production, Department of R&D and Financial Advisor Defence Services also shared their thoughts on various relevant aspects with the Combined Commanders.

    The annual Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) is the gathering of the Military Commanders from the three Services. The three-day conference, from March 4 -6, will have the combined apex level military leadership of the country reviewing the security situation and defence preparedness of the Armed Forces. Also the future plans will be discussed.

    The two Vivechana sessions held over the day in the presence of the Defence Minister deliberated over a wide range of issues, some of them held behind closed doors. These deliberations addressed the ongoing modernisation of Armed Forces especially focusing on creation of integrated Theatre Commands and infusion of modern technology.

    Issues like morale and motivation and promotion of spirit of innovation in the Armed Forces witnessed enthusiastic participation with useful feedback and suggestions from the soldiers and younger officers of the three Services.

    India and China have positioned their soldiers at high altitudes along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh since May 2020 after the Chinese troops clashed with the Indian soldiers. There have been disengagement from the banks of Pangon Tso but there is no decrease in the number of troops and the equipment from the area.

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital here on Tuesday, a day after the start of the second phase of the inoculation drive.

    Dispelling apprehensions, he said the vaccine is completely safe.

    “The first dosage of COVID-19 vaccine was administered to me at RR Hospital today. India’s resolve for making the country COVID-free has been strengthened by this inoculation drive. The vaccine is completely safe and hassle free. #LargestVaccineDrive,” the minister said in a tweet.

    “I salute the efforts of India’s scientists and doctors who developed the vaccine in a short span of time. I also thank the doctors and paramedic staff at the RR Hospital for the vaccination. I urge everyone who is eligible to take the vaccine and make India COVID-free,” he added.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, setting the pace for the second phase of the country’s inoculation drive, in which coverage has been expanded to include everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 with co-morbidities.