Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has given a big statement regarding the security of the country. He said that India never attacked any country out of hatred or malice, but if its interests were threatened then we would not hesitate to take a big step. On the occasion of Vijayadashami, Singh performed Shastra Puja at Sukna Military Station in West Bengal. He said that this ritual is a clear signal that if necessary, weapons and equipment will be used with full force. The 33 Corps based in Sukna is known as Trishakti Corps. It is responsible for the security of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the Sikkim sector.
The Defense Ministry quoted Singh as saying in a statement, ‘India has never attacked any country with hatred or evil intentions. We fight only when someone insults or tries to harm our integrity and sovereignty. When war is waged against religion, truth and human values, this is what we have inherited. We will continue to preserve this heritage. He said that if our interests are threatened then we will not hesitate to take big steps. Shastra Puja is a clear indication that weapons, equipment will be used with full force if required.
‘A symbol of respect for weapons’
Earlier, the Defense Minister shared pictures of this ritual on Twitter. He wrote, ‘There is a very old tradition of worshiping weapons in India on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Today, Shastra Puja was performed at 33 Corps Headquarters in Sukna, Darjeeling. Vijaya Dashami marks the conclusion of Navratri and is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra. The ministry said that this important ceremony (Shastra Puja) in the Indian Army symbolizes respect for arms as protectors of the sovereignty of the nation.
In this program, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defense Secretary Designate RK Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command Lieutenant General Ram Chandra Tiwari, Director General of Border Roads Organization Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps Lieutenant General Zubin A Minawala and other senior officials attended. The Defense Minister started the rituals with Kalash Puja, which was followed by Shastra Puja and Vehicle Puja. Singh also interacted with soldiers at Sukna military station.
