India’s main opposition Congress Party has demanded the resignation of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing him of misleading Parliament by failing to disclose military casualties during the May 2025 India Pakistan conflict. The opposition has also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly apologise for what it describes as a lack of transparency regarding the deaths of six Indian military personnel.
The controversy began after the Indian government officially confirmed the names of six armed forces personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor. Their names were added to the National War Memorial Roll of Honour on June 26, marking the first official acknowledgment of military casualties linked to the conflict.
Congress leaders claim the government withheld this information for several weeks, preventing the fallen soldiers from receiving timely public recognition. During a press conference, former military officers associated with the Congress Party stated that the delayed disclosure raised serious concerns about accountability and transparency within the government.
The opposition also alleged that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh previously informed Parliament that no Indian soldiers had been killed during the military operation. Congress leaders argue that the later confirmation of six deaths directly contradicts those statements, leading them to accuse the government of misleading lawmakers and the public.
The conflict between India and Pakistan began after India launched military strikes following an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The confrontation continued for several days before ending with a United States brokered ceasefire on May 10. The military escalation drew global attention because both countries possess nuclear weapons.
Adding to the political pressure, Congress Member of Parliament KC Venugopal has reportedly requested privilege proceedings against the defence minister, claiming he provided inaccurate information to the Lok Sabha regarding the military casualties.
The issue has intensified political debate in India, with opposition leaders demanding greater transparency in matters related to national security and military operations. The government has not yet responded to the latest calls for Rajnath Singh’s resignation, but the controversy is expected to remain a major political issue in the coming weeks.
