Congress manifesto hints at religion-based reservation in armed forces, claims Rajnath Singh

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday alleged that the Congress plans to introduce religion-based reservations in “every institution” in Indian society, including the armed forces, reported The Hindu.

The veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader made the remarks during a public meeting in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the Lok Sabha campaign trail.

Singh claimed that the Congress’ poll manifesto hints at its plans for faith-based reservations. The Congress’ “Nyay Patra”, however, does not mention any such promise.

Singh also referenced the Sachar Committee Report’s recommendation of a religion-based headcount of the armed forces as purported evidence of his allegations.

The Sachar Committee Report is an assessment of the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in India, undertaken by the first United Progressive Alliance goverment after it came to power. It found that Muslims in India were lagging behind Hindus and Other Backward Castes and recommended affirmative action to uplift them socially.

Singh claimed that certain sections of the Congress manifesto were influenced by the Sachar Committee Report, particularly sections 3 and 6 in the chapter on minority communities.

“Section 3 says that the party would encourage and assist minority students and others so that they can take advantage of all the provisions for education and jobs,” Singh said. “Section 6 says that the Congress would ensure minorities get...

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