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Congress MP Warns Defence Minister: Focus on Strategic Challenges, Not History

Congress leader Manish Tewari has called out Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for his recent comments about former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Tewari argues the minister should concentrate on India's pressing strategic challenges instead. Singh had claimed Nehru wanted to use government money for the Babri Masjid, while Sardar Patel opposed it. This political exchange highlights ongoing debates about historical interpretation and current governance priorities.

Key Points: Manish Tewari Criticises Rajnath Singh Over Nehru Remarks

  • Congress MP Manish Tewari criticises Rajnath Singh's focus on historical narratives over current security issues
  • Tewari's remarks respond to Singh's claims about Nehru and government funds for Babri Masjid
  • Defence Minister cited Sardar Patel's opposition to using state funds for religious structures
  • Singh contrasted Nehru's stance with Patel's secularism during a Gujarat event
2 min read

Focus on India's strategic challenges, avoid distorting history: Manish Tewari on Rajnath Singh's 'Nehru' remark

Congress MP Manish Tewari urges Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to focus on India's strategic challenges instead of making historical claims about Nehru and Patel.

"It would be better if Rajnath Singh focuses on India's strategic challenges. He is trying to distort and misrepresent history, which should be avoided. - Manish Tewari"

New Delhi, December 3

Criticising Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over his remarks on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday said that the Defence Minister's focus should be on India's strategic challenges and not on misrepresenting historical facts.

Tewari's remark came in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to use government funds to build Babri Masjid, but it was the then Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who opposed the idea, as he was "truly secular".

Speaking to ANI, Tewari said, "It would be better if Rajnath Singh focuses on India's strategic challenges. He is trying to distort and misrepresent history, which should be avoided."

Remembering India's first Home Minister at the 'Sardar Sabha' organised in Gujarat's Vadodara, the Defence Minister said on Tuesday that Patel did not look to appease communities, unlike Nehru, who questioned the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gir Somnath district.

"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was truly secular. He never believed in appeasement. When Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about spending government funds on the Babri Masjid issue, if anyone opposed it, it was one born in Gujarat, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who opposed it. At that time, he did not allow the Babri Masjid to be built with government money," Rajnath Singh said.

The Defence Minister said that earlier parallels were drawn between the reconstruction of the Gir Somnath temple, but Patel rejected similarities between the two cases, highlighting that the Somnath temple was rebuilt with donations instead of government money.

"Nehru raised the question of the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple. When the question was raised, then Sardar clarified that the Somnath Temple case was different; the public had donated Rs 30 lakh there, a trust had been formed, and not even a single penny of government money was used," Singh said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's concerning when historical figures are used for present-day political point-scoring. Both Nehru and Patel were giants of their time. Can't we respect their legacy without this constant comparison?
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Aditya G
Honestly, this debate is a distraction. Whether it was Nehru or Patel, that chapter is closed. We have real issues - unemployment, inflation, border security. Let's focus on those, yaar.
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Priyanka N
It's important to get history right. If the Defence Minister is making claims, he should provide proper sources. We can't have misinformation from such a high office. Truth matters.
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Michael C
Living in India for 5 years now, I see how history is deeply political here. In the West, we debate policies; here, you debate interpretations of events from 70 years ago. Fascinating, but perhaps not always productive for governance.
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Kavya N
Sardar Patel was indeed a great leader, but using him to criticise Nehru feels wrong. They worked together for a free India. Can we please celebrate our founding fathers without putting one down? 🙏

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