Rajnath Singh hails PM Modi's 'nation first' record at Agra statue unveiling
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, 14 June praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonstrating a 'nation first' ideology through concrete action, citing the abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of triple talaq, and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as proof that the government delivers on its promises. Singh made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, at an event to unveil the statue of Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap.
Key Remarks by Rajnath Singh
'Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not just say it — he shows it through action. There is no gap between what we say and what we do. For us, the people of the country come first, and national interest — not politics — takes precedence above all,' Singh told the audience.
He further stated, 'Whether it was removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, constructing the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, or putting an end to the regressive practice of triple talaq, we have fulfilled every resolve we took.'
BJP's Governance Philosophy
Singh asserted that the dignity and empowerment of women ranks among the highest priorities of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. He maintained that public service — not polarisation — is the defining ideology of the party, describing its approach as one of 'public satisfaction.'
Notably, Singh drew a direct parallel between the values of Maharana Pratap and the current government's stated ethos, invoking Prime Minister Modi's oft-repeated mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' as a modern expression of the 16th-century Rajput warrior's commitment to social unity.
Tribute to Maharana Pratap
Singh described Maharana Pratap as an eternal symbol of valour, self-respect, and patriotism, saying the ruler 'never discriminated on the basis of caste or religion' and worked to 'weave society together into unity.' The Defence Minister said he was 'extremely pleased' to have unveiled the statue in Agra.
Singh also addressed his infrequent visits to Uttar Pradesh, acknowledging that his responsibilities in national politics and his duties as India's Defence Minister — which require regular international travel — limit his time in the state, though he expressed a heartfelt desire to engage more frequently with the people there.
Political Context
The event comes as the BJP continues to position its third-term governance record as one of ideological fulfilment rather than electoral calculation. The invocation of Article 370, triple talaq, and the Ayodhya temple — all long-standing party commitments — is a recurring theme in BJP leaders' public addresses ahead of state election cycles. Singh's remarks in Agra, a politically significant city in western Uttar Pradesh, underline the party's continued emphasis on its core agenda as a differentiator from opposition parties.