Congress leader KC Venugopal has initiated privilege proceedings against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of misleading Parliament regarding the inscription of names of six military personnel who died during Operation Sindoor. The controversy centers on whether the names were deliberately omitted from the National War Memorial before being added later.
Privilege Motion Details
Venugopal submitted the notice on Monday, claiming that Rajnath Singh's statements in the House contradicted facts. The Congress leader argued that the Defence Minister's response to a query on the matter was incomplete and constituted a breach of parliamentary privilege. The motion seeks to hold Singh accountable for what the Congress describes as a deliberate attempt to mislead the Lok Sabha.
Operation Sindoor Martyrs Row
The row erupted after it emerged that names of five Army personnel and one Air Force officer, who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor, were initially not included on the memorial wall. The names were later inscribed following public outcry and political pressure. The operation was conducted in response to the Pahalgam attack, and the soldiers' sacrifice had been widely recognized.
Political Reactions
The BJP has dismissed the Congress move as a political stunt. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "The Defence Minister has already clarified the matter. The Congress is trying to divert attention from its own failures." However, opposition parties have backed the Congress, demanding a thorough inquiry into the alleged omission.
Government Response
Defence Ministry officials have stated that the names were always scheduled to be inscribed and that the delay was procedural. They maintain that Rajnath Singh provided accurate information in Parliament. The Speaker is yet to decide on the admissibility of the privilege motion.
