NEW DELHI, March 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday urged citizens to put the nation first and remain united, emphasizing the importance of national security and integrity in his speech at the Major Bob Khathing Memorial event.

The event was jointly organized by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and the United Services Institution of India (USI). Singh’s message came at a time when violence continues in Manipur and tensions persist in Nagpur and other parts of the country.

During his address, Singh praised the contribution of the Northeast to India’s security and highlighted Major Bob Khathing’s role in integrating the region. He drew parallels between Khathing’s efforts and the peaceful integration of Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Just like Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India had integrated Jammu and Kashmir without firing a bullet.”

Major Khathing, a Naga from Manipur, is best known for his 1951 expedition to Tawang, which paved the way for its integration with the rest of India. He later served as India’s ambassador to Myanmar and held significant roles, including Chief Secretary of Nagaland. Khathing’s contributions to national security were recognized with several honors, including the Military Cross (MC), the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), and Padma Shri in 1957.

Singh praised Khathing’s dedication to national unity, stating that his work in integrating and developing the Northeast region was akin to the work done by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the national level. “Major Bob Khathing made a significant contribution in strengthening national unity. The work he carried out for the Northeast is similar to what Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did at the national level,” Singh noted.

The Defence Minister called on people to fulfill their duties with honesty and work fearlessly toward their goals, principles that were central to Major Khathing’s life. Singh reiterated that India is fortunate to have had such prominent figures whose commitment to the country’s security, integrity, and sovereignty remains paramount.

Singh further commended the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in following the principles of such revolutionaries, citing the peaceful removal of Article 370 to integrate Jammu and Kashmir into India. “We completely merged Jammu and Kashmir into India by removing the biggest hurdle—Article 370—without firing a single bullet. The work was carried out peacefully with full security, keeping all the stakeholders in mind,” Singh said.

The Minister’s remarks come amidst the ongoing violence in Manipur, which has seen a complete breakdown of law and order, and rising tensions in other parts of the country, such as Nagpur. Singh’s call for national unity and security is seen as an effort to address these challenges and remind citizens of the importance of collective efforts toward a united India.