"Gandhis Have Lost the Right to Use Gandhi's Name": Rajnath Singh Accuses Congress of Seeking Bangladesh-Style Regime Change

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the wider opposition alliance, accusing them of using protests against the Election Commission to create unrest and push for a change of government similar to the one seen in Bangladesh. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow on Friday, October 16, 2026, Singh said the agitation was not about electoral reform but about seizing power through anarchy.

The Background: Protests Over the SIR Drive

The remarks come at a time when Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing mounting criticism over the nationwide Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. Opposition parties, student groups and youth-led platforms, including the Cockroach Janta Party, have organised protests demanding accountability and, in some cases, the CEC's resignation. Several of these demonstrations have led to detentions, police restrictions and legal battles, making the issue one of the most heated in national politics at the moment.

Singh's Allegations Against the Opposition

Singh accused the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc of exploiting youth-led protests to fuel political unrest. He said the opposition's actual aim is to bring about regime change in India along the lines of the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh that toppled the government there. According to him, the struggle is not for electoral reform, not about the SIR exercise and not about Gyanesh Kumar, and it is also not for the sake of the nation's youth. He described it as a conspiracy to seize power by inciting anarchy and said the sole agenda was to dismantle democratic institutions.

The Attack on the Gandhi Family

In one of the most pointed parts of his speech, Singh said the Gandhi family had lost the right to use the Gandhi name. The remark was clearly aimed at the Congress leadership and its claim to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, and it set a combative tone for the rest of his address. He also criticised Rahul Gandhi directly, accusing him of practising the politics of disruption and of playing a key role in the protests.

Remarks on the Election Commission

Singh further alleged that the Election Commission had been turned into a "puppet" during the period when the Congress was in power. By making this claim, he sought to counter the opposition's argument that the present Election Commission lacks independence, suggesting instead that the institution had been compromised in the past. He said the protests against the SIR exercise and the chief election commissioner were an attempt to weaken institutions rather than defend them.

Political Context and Likely Reactions

The statement is likely to deepen the political divide at a sensitive moment. The Congress and its allies have maintained that their protests are peaceful and democratic, aimed at securing fair electoral processes, and they have accused the government of using police action and restrictions to silence dissent. The comparison with Bangladesh is a serious accusation, and it is expected to draw a strong response from the opposition. Observers note that such rhetoric may also raise the political stakes around the youth-led movements that have been active in several cities in recent weeks.

As the debate over the electoral rolls, the role of the Election Commission and the right to protest continues, both the government and the opposition appear determined to frame the issue in their own terms, with the courts, the streets and Parliament all likely to remain arenas for the contest.

This report is based on published news coverage and statements attributed to the minister. The allegations are his own and have not been independently verified.