Up live news 24 uttar pradesh
Praveen Saini
Sarojini Nagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh today questioned the growing trend of post-retirement disclosures and political commentary on national security matters, stating that responsibility cannot begin after authority ends.
Referring to recent statement made by LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi using the unpublished book of former Army Chief M. M. Naravane, Dr. Singh raised specific and unavoidable questions that the nation deserves answers to:
• If such serious threats to national security truly existed, why did Gen. Naravane not resign when his views were allegedly ignored?
• If he believed the situation was grave, why did he continue in office while claiming institutional resistance?
• Most importantly, what prevented decisive action at that time, when constitutional authority, command, and responsibility were fully vested in him?
Gen Naravane should come out and clear the air, as speculations will only make it worse.
“National interest is not safeguarded through memoirs, interviews, or post-retirement commentary. It is safeguarded by timely decisions taken while in uniform and in command,” Dr. Singh said.
He emphasized that every officer of the armed forces and every civil servant takes an oath to the Constitution and the nation. “If a matter genuinely involved national security, there was neither a legal nor a moral barrier to acting then. Speaking only after retirement raises questions of credibility, not courage.”
Dr. Singh warned that selective disclosures after demitting office weaken institutions, erode public trust, and create unnecessary doubt around decision-making processes that must remain disciplined and accountable.
He also criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress for repeatedly making statements on sensitive security issues based on partial understanding and political convenience.
“Before questioning institutions or individuals, the Congress Party must answer a simple question: What decisive and deterrent action did its own government take after the 26/11 terror attacks?” Dr. Singh said.
“National security is not a subject for political point-scoring or retrospective heroism. History respects those who act when responsibility rests on their shoulders—not those who speak when it is safest to do so,” he added.