New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): Congress leader KC Venugopal on Tuesday wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking privilege proceedings against Rajnath Singh and alleged that the Defence Minister spoke a “straightforward, clear-cut lie” to mislead the House over casualties of Indian soldiers in Operation Sindoor.
In a post on X, Venugopal said that Rajnath Singh, in his speech in the Lok Sabha in July 2025, had said that there was no Indian soldier had died in Operation Sindoor.
“In the debate in Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lied to the people of India. It was a straightforward, clear-cut lie – to mislead the House. How could he, in July 2025, say that no Indian soldier was martyred, and then a year later the forces announce that we have lost 6 jawans?” Venugopal said in a post on X.
“It is a grave insult to the families of these six martyrs and the entire armed forces that the people of India were not told of their bravery and ultimate sacrifice,” he added.
The Congress leader said that the soldiers died in service of the nation, “while defending it against our enemies, and the so-called nationalist Government simply lied about their martyrdom”.
He said it is a well-established norm that if a Minister misleads the House or withholding information, it constitutes a breach of privilege, amounting to contempt of the House.
“In this regard, I have written to the Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker requesting privilege proceedings be initiated against the Defence Minister,” Venugopal said.
In his post, the Congress leader also shared his breach of privilege notice against the Defence Minister.
The Congress leader cited Rajnath Singh’s speech in the House and said that contrary to these remarks, a statement has been released that the following six armed forces personnel had died during the Operation Sindoor.
“Subedar Major Pawan Kumar (Indian Army), Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Vir Chakra (Indian Army), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar (Indian Army), Aviation Technician Mood Murlinaik (Indian Army), Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh (Indian Army), Sergeant Surendra Kumar, Vayu Sena Medal (Indian Air Force). The aforementioned position clearly indicates that the Minister of Defence, while stating on the floor of the House that there had been no casualties during Operation Sindoor was clearly misleading and incorrect,” the notice said.
“It is well established that misleading the House or withholding information from the House by a Minister on the Floor of the House constitutes a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. In view of the foregoing, I request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Minister of Defence in the matter,” the notice added.
The names of the six Indian security personnel who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, have been etched at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
India launched Op Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. India later effectively responded to Pakistan’s escalation by pounding its airbases. (ANI)
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