The Indian National Congress has vehemently rejected a claim made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Babri Masjid. The party accused the senior BJP leader of propagating a falsehood for political gain.
Congress Accuses Defence Minister of Spreading 'Lie'
On Tuesday, Rajnath Singh, while addressing a 'Sardar Sabha' event in Vadodara, stated that Jawaharlal Nehru had spoken about using government funds for the Babri Masjid issue, and that it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who opposed the idea. He contrasted this with the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple, which he said was funded by public donations.
The Congress party responded swiftly and sharply. Party MP Manickam Tagore led the charge, categorically denying the defence minister's assertion. He stated there is "zero archival or documentary evidence" to support Rajnath Singh's claim. Tagore invoked Nehru's well-documented stance against using state money for religious places.
Historical Precedent of Somnath Temple Cited
To counter the claim, the Congress MP pointed to the historical example of the Somnath Temple reconstruction in Gujarat. Nehru had explicitly opposed using public funds for Somnath Temple, insisting it should be financed through voluntary public contributions. Tagore argued that if Nehru refused government money for a temple revered by millions, it defies logic that he would propose it for the Babri Masjid.
"If Nehruji refused public funds even for Somnath — a symbol revered by millions — why would he propose spending taxpayer money on Babri? The claim collapses under basic logic and historical record," Tagore said.
A Political Strategy to 'Rewrite the Past'
The Congress party framed the defence minister's comments as part of a broader political strategy rather than a genuine historical debate. Tagore accused the BJP of attempting to rewrite history to divide society and polarise the present.
"Rajnath ji's statements aren't about history. They're about politics — rewriting the past to divide the present. The BJP's strategy is simple: insult our founders, invent stories, fuel polarisation," he asserted. In a strongly worded retort, he added that the Congress "will not allow the legacy of Nehru or Patel to be distorted by Godse's followers."
During his speech, Rajnath Singh also emphasised that the recently constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was not funded by the government, with the entire cost borne by public contributions, drawing a parallel with the Somnath Temple trust model.
This exchange marks the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political and ideological battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over the interpretation of India's modern history and the legacies of its founding figures.
