Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 30: The Congress on Tuesday sought initiation of privilege proceedings against Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him of misleading Parliament by stating that no Indian soldiers were martyred during Operation Sindoor.
Congress MP and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson KC Venugopal wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting action under Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the Defence Minister had withheld information from the House.
In his letter, Venugopal referred to the Parliament discussion held on July 28, 2025, regarding the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, during which Rajnath Singh had reportedly stated that “none of our soldiers were harmed in the operation.”
Venugopal claimed that the statement was contrary to an official announcement that six armed forces personnel were killed during Operation Sindoor. He listed the deceased personnel as Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar (Vir Chakra), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Aviation Technician Mood Murlinaik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh of the Indian Army, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar (Vayu Sena Medal) of the Indian Air Force.
The Congress leader said the difference between the statement made in Parliament and the later official disclosure showed that the Defence Minister’s remarks were “misleading and incorrect”.
“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,” Venugopal said in his letter.
He requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to initiate privilege proceedings against the Defence Minister in the matter.
Later, in a post on X, Venugopal accused Rajnath Singh of misleading the people of India during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor. He said the alleged discrepancy was an insult to the families of the six soldiers and the armed forces.
The Congress intensified its criticism after the government on June 26 released the names of six personnel who died during the cross-border operation, claiming that the disclosure contradicted the Defence Minister’s earlier statement in Parliament.