Rajnath Singh: Nehru Wanted Government Funds For Babri Masjid, Sardar Patel Stopped It

A significant political row has ignited following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru proposed using government funds to build the Babri Masjid, a move he alleges was opposed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Congress party has strongly denied these allegations. This development comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin undertakes a historic visit to India, during which Russia's State Duma ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) agreement. The pact is set to deepen defence cooperation, allowing mutual use of military facilities. Discussions during the visit are also expected to cover the S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' air defence system and potential talks on the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, signaling a strengthening of strategic ties between the two nations.