NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday sought privilege proceedings to be initiated against Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for allegedly withholding information and misleading the Parliament by saying no Indian soldiers were martyred during the Operation Sindoor.
In his letter, Venugopal wrote that on 28 July, 2025, during the discussion on the terrorist attack at Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister stated that "none of our soldiers were harmed in the operation."
However, contrary to the statement, an official statement has been released that the following six armed forces personnel had died during the Operation Sindoor, said Venugopal.
He further listed the deceased personnel as: Subedar Major Pawan Kumar (Indian Army), Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Vir Chakra (Indian Army), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar (Indian Army), Aviation Technician Mood Murlinaik (Indian Army), Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh (Indian Army), and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, Vayu Sena Medal (Indian Air Force).
“In view of the foregoing, I request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Minister of Defence in the matter,” Venugopal added.
NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday sought privilege proceedings to be initiated against Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for allegedly withholding information and misleading the Parliament by saying no Indian soldiers were martyred during the Operation Sindoor.
In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress MP and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) KC Venugopal urged the Speaker to initiate privilege proceedings under Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, accusing the Defence Minister of misleading the House.
In his letter, Venugopal wrote that on 28 July, 2025, during the discussion on the terrorist attack at Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister stated that "none of our soldiers were harmed in the operation."
However, contrary to the statement, an official statement has been released that the following six armed forces personnel had died during the Operation Sindoor, said Venugopal.
He further listed the deceased personnel as: Subedar Major Pawan Kumar (Indian Army), Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Vir Chakra (Indian Army), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar (Indian Army), Aviation Technician Mood Murlinaik (Indian Army), Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh (Indian Army), and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, Vayu Sena Medal (Indian Air Force).
Venugopal said that the discrepancy clearly showed that the Defence Minister’s statement on the floor of the House was “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,” he further wrote.
“In view of the foregoing, I request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Minister of Defence in the matter,” Venugopal added.
