Rajnath Singh: “Our Soldiers Targeted Terrorists for Their Actions, Not Religion”

Jodhpur, August 25: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that Indian forces delivered a “befitting reply” to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, emphasizing that terrorists were neutralized for their actions, not their religion.

Speaking at an event in Jodhpur, Singh said, “India does not discriminate based on caste or religion. However, terrorists identified and targeted victims based on their faith. Our soldiers responded not based on religion, but on the deeds of those terrorists.”

Singh revealed that following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, he immediately consulted the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. “All three chiefs responded unanimously — ‘We are ready for any operation.’ The Prime Minister then issued the necessary directives,” he stated.

He noted that Operation Sindoor, conducted in May, involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and was supported by people across India’s border regions. “The target was hit with precision, just as planned,” Singh said.

Underscoring India’s inclusive philosophy, Singh highlighted the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — as central to India’s ethos. “India not only embraces its own citizens as family but extends that spirit to the world,” he said.

Praise for Education Reforms

Shifting focus to education, Singh commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to transform the education sector, stating that substantial changes in recent years have positioned India for future growth.

“There’s a vast difference between the education of our time and today’s. Children now have access to global knowledge at their fingertips through the internet,” he said, recalling his own school days in a village primary school.

Singh acknowledged decades of groundwork in the sector but credited recent policy reforms for the visible transformation. “Many commissions were formed over the years, but the kind of reforms we needed only came under Modi’s leadership,” he said.

Spiritual Growth Through Education

Emphasizing the need for holistic development, Singh spoke about the importance of spiritual as well as intellectual education. “Children should grow not just physically but spiritually. Only education can truly expand their minds,” he added.

He quoted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee: “No one becomes great with a small mind. No one stands tall with a broken heart.”

Referencing India’s rich intellectual heritage, Singh said, “While the world lived in caves, Indian sages wrote the Natya Shastra. We had medical experts like Sushruta, and knowledge of turmeric, neem, and ashwagandha that science now validates.”

He concluded with a metaphor: “Imagine the mind as a circle. The more you expand its boundaries, the more happiness you experience — and eventually, you attain bliss.”

During the event, Singh also inaugurated a sports academy in Jodhpur, with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other leaders in attendance.