Armed forces free to take any action against terrorism: Rajnath

New Delhi, Jul 4: “Terrorists killed innocent civilians in Pahalgam based on their Dharma, while the Armed Forces, through Operation Sindoor, destroyed the hideouts of terrorists based on their Karma,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at an event in Hyderabad, Telangana on Friday.
He reiterated that the Indian Armed Forces displayed patience and restraint while dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan & PoK, adding that complete caution was exercised so that no civilian population was harmed. The Defence Minister asserted that the Armed Forces, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are free & capable to take all kinds of action against terrorism in the future.
The event was organised as part of 128th birth anniversary celebrations of great freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju. Rajnath Singh pointed out that the patience and restraint showcased by the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor was similar to the qualities of Alluri Sitarama Raju who made an invaluable contribution to India’s freedom struggle,
Terming him as a ‘warrior-saint’, Defence Minister invoked Alluri ji’s moral clarity and grassroots leadership, drawing a direct line between his legacy and the ethos of India’s modern defence & development strategy. “Alluri Ji was not just a revolutionary, he was a movement. His guerrilla resistance despite limited resources remains a shining example of courage driven by principle. He taught us that standing up against injustice is not just a right, it is the nation’s Dharma,” he added.
Rajnath Singh outlined the Government’s vision of tribal empowerment, echoing Alluri ji’s lifelong mission to uplift the most marginalised. He listed out the recent government initiatives including the PM Tribal Development Mission, Skill India, and the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Campaign, describing them as tangible steps towards mainstreaming tribal communities with dignity and opportunity, not charity. “From being denied basic rights during colonial rule to becoming the guardians of sustainable growth today, our tribal brothers and sisters have come a long way and we are committed to walking alongside them,” he added.
The Defence Minister stressed that the Government’s efforts were inspired not just by policy but by emotion and deep commitment to the values Alluri ji lived and died for. “His life was not just one of bravery, but of unity,” he said, underlining how Alluri ji transcended caste barriers and is remembered across India as a ‘tribal warrior’. He described the birth anniversary celebrations as a reflection of India’s journey under 11 years of transformative governance, and its resolve of achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. (PIB)