Lucknow, November 13: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday emphasised the need to bring ethics, moral values and spiritual consciousness into politics, saying political leadership should focus on guiding society and shaping the nation’s future rather than merely winning elections.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Divya Sanskriti Bhawan in Lucknow, Singh said political decisions must be guided by public interest, integrity and ethical principles.
” E lections may be won or lost, but I will do what is right and nothing else,” he said, underlining that personal and political interests should not take precedence over what is right for society.
He described his vision as the “spiritualisation of politics”, explaining that politics should not remain limited to acquiring power and retaining positions but should become a means of providing direction to society.
Singh was attending an event marking 90 years of the establishment of the Brahma Kumaris and 72 years of its spiritual services in Lucknow.
Highlighting India’s achievements, the Defence Minister said the country had emerged as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, making significant progress in fields such as space technology and artificial intelligence.
However, he cautioned that while India was advancing technologically and economically, equal attention must be given to inner development, moral strength and personal values.
He said meditation and mindful living were increasingly gaining recognition through scientific research for their positive impact on mental and physical well-being, including stress management.
Rejecting the idea that spirituality and economic development were contradictory, Singh said inner stability encouraged responsible behaviour, honesty and respect for others.
“Countries are not run merely by laws. They are run by character,” he said, stressing that strong moral values were essential for building public trust and social harmony.
He further said the vision of a developed India should extend beyond economic growth and include honest citizens, strong family values, respect for women, social harmony, disciplined youth and a sense of national responsibility.
Singh also appreciated the contribution of the Brahma Kumaris, particularly their initiatives promoting women’s spiritual leadership and campaigns against substance abuse.
Clarifying his concept of spiritual politics, he said it did not mean associating politics with any particular religion or sect. Instead, it involved bringing universal values such as honesty, duty and ethical conduct into public life.
Referring to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Singh said India’s ancient scriptures emphasised that the welfare of citizens should remain the foremost responsibility of rulers.
He urged political leaders to look beyond electoral victories and work towards creating a better future for coming generations.
The Defence Minister also called upon young people to prioritise character-building alongside career development and use technology responsibly.
“Use technology, but do not let technology dominate you. Gather information, but do not lose your wisdom. Connect with the world, but remain connected to your roots,” he said.
Singh also spoke about his emotional connection with Lucknow, which he represents in Parliament, saying his association with the city remained deeply rooted.
