‘Bangladesh-style regime change’: Rajnath Singh accuses Congress, allies of fuelling ‘anarchy’ amid anti-CEC protests

The defence minister said the use of terms such as ‘regime change’ showed that the opposition's campaign was not about electoral reforms or issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lashed out at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress party and its allies over the protests in the national capital, accusing them of seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread ‘anarchy’.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Singh asserted that democracy does not give anyone the licence to create disorder or undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.

"It appears that the Congress and its political allies, directly and through their supporting organisations, are trying to use the energy of the youth to fuel political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of channelling it towards constructive work and nation-building," he said.

"The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy," he stated.

Singh alleged that the Congress and its allies want a change of government in India along the lines of Bangladesh.

"They openly say at press conferences that they have drawn inspiration from Bangladesh for regime change, while another speaks openly about bringing down the government. This makes it clear that their only agenda is to dismantle democratic institutions and set the country on fire," he said referring to the uprising in Bangladesh in 2024 that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government.

Singh did not name any one but was perhaps referring to allegation surrounding AISA leader Neha Bora who said that the current wave of protests were inspired by Gen Z protests in Bangladesh against Sheikh Hasina government in 2024 which eventually led to regime change. Bora's remarks were slammed by BJP leaders though she condemned religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh in the same video.

Hasina is in exile in India.

Did BJP not protest before 2024 for regime change?

Activist and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan also said during a press conference that the protests are being held to what he called ‘regime change.’ "Did BJP not protest before 2024 for regime change? Bhushan said at a press conference

The defence minister said the use of terms such as "regime change" showed that the opposition's campaign was not about electoral reforms or issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

His remarks come amid massive protests in the national capital by opposition parties and civil society groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.

Opposition leaders have alleged that the exercise lacks transparency and could exclude eligible voters.

Referring to the Supreme Court's observations on Thursday, Singh said Gandhi and his allies need to understand that democracy does not permit attempts to create anarchy, undermine constitutional institutions or obstruct India's development.

"Respecting the law is also essential to maintaining law and order. India's democratic institutions cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political self-interest," he said.

Singh added that falsehoods, anger, attempts to malign institutions and political opportunism could not obstruct India's development.

He advised Gandhi to respect the people's mandate and introspect on his political role instead of pursuing what he called "politics of destruction" in the name of protecting democracy.

“The youth of the country are being made pawns in the politics of anarchy,” Singh said.

"India's future is everyone's responsibility. We must choose the path of dialogue and nation-building, not confrontation," Singh said.