Rahul doing irresponsible politics on national interests: Defence Minister
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refutes Rahul Gandhi’s claims on Army Chief’s China remarks, calls it irresponsible politics;
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-02-04 15:41 GMT
New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hit out at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for "making false allegations" in the Lok Sabha and indulging in "irresponsible politics on matters of national interest".
The defence minister was reacting to a statement made by Gandhi on Monday in which he had claimed that the Chief of Army Staff had said the Chinese are inside Indian territory.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament on February 3, 2025 made false allegations about the statement of the Army chief on the situation on the India-China border," said the defence minister.
The Army chief’s remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides, said Singh. "He (Army chief) also mentioned that these practices have been restored to their traditional pattern as part of the recent disengagement. The government has shared these details in Parliament," said Singh.
"The words attributed to the Army Chief by Shri Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Shri Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest," said the defence minister.
The defence minister said that if at all there is Indian territory into which China has come, it is 38,000 sq. km in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflict and 5,180 sq. km illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history," added Singh.
The defence minister was reacting to a statement made by Gandhi on Monday in which he had claimed that the Chief of Army Staff had said the Chinese are inside Indian territory.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament on February 3, 2025 made false allegations about the statement of the Army chief on the situation on the India-China border," said the defence minister.
The Army chief’s remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides, said Singh. "He (Army chief) also mentioned that these practices have been restored to their traditional pattern as part of the recent disengagement. The government has shared these details in Parliament," said Singh.
"The words attributed to the Army Chief by Shri Rahul Gandhi were never spoken by him at any time. It is a matter of deep regret that Shri Rahul Gandhi should indulge in irresponsible politics on matters of national interest," said the defence minister.
The defence minister said that if at all there is Indian territory into which China has come, it is 38,000 sq. km in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflict and 5,180 sq. km illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history," added Singh.