Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday listed the Congress party’s four “unforgivable crimes” during its rule and alleged that the party was now attacking constitutional institutions for political gain. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, he criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over protests against the Election Commission and the electoral process.

Singh cited the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the killings of Ram devotees and kar sevaks in 1990 as the Congress’s first three alleged crimes. He described the party’s current criticism of constitutional bodies as its fourth.

"I want to remind you that in the year 1975, Indira Gandhi locked democracy behind bars. And today, Rahul-ji is attempting to spread anarchy while keeping the Constitution in his pocket. Turn the pages of Congress's history, and you will find many dark chapters," Singh said.

He accused the Congress and its allies of using youth-led protests against the Election Commission to create unrest and seek regime change, drawing parallels with Bangladesh. He alleged that opposition parties were using young people as “pawns in the politics of disorder” instead of encouraging nation-building.

Singh said the protests over electoral reforms, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were aimed at destabilising the government.

"India's democratic institutions cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political self-interest. This reality must be understood. Through manufactured outrage, attempts to malign institutions, and political opportunism, India's journey of development can never be hindered. Instead of engaging in the 'politics of disruption' in the name of defending democracy, Rahul-ji should respect the public mandate and introspect on his political role—this is my suggestion to him," Singh said.

The Defence Minister also accused the Congress of manipulating the Election Commission during its rule. Referring to appointments made in 1993, he alleged that the government appointed two Election Commissioners overnight. He cited former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami's letter to the President recommending the removal of Naveen Chawla, accusing him of sharing sensitive information with Congress leaders.

Singh alleged that the Congress later helped Chawla become Chief Election Commissioner due to his proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's vote theft allegations, Singh questioned the Congress's electoral performance after voter identity cards were introduced. He said the party had failed to secure a Lok Sabha majority on its own since 1984 and asked whether this reflected vote theft or poor performance.

Taking a swipe at Gandhi's description of his allegations as a "hydrogen bomb", Singh said, "He created a huge uproar across the country by calling it a hydrogen bomb. But the truth is that this so-called hydrogen bomb of his didn't even turn out to be a Diwali firecracker."

Meanwhile, security forces were deployed around Connaught Place ahead of a proposed "Lehra Do Tiranga" rally by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke at Central Park on Friday.