Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday strongly criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his alleged remarks about the Indian Army, asserting that the Supreme Court’s recent observation serves as a stern reminder that no citizen can make baseless claims against the country without consequences.
Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said the judiciary has made it clear that such unfounded statements targeting India’s security and territorial integrity will not be tolerated.
“The false statements made by Rahul Gandhi regarding our security and territorial integrity have shown that our judiciary and the Supreme Court will not remain silent on such matters,” Rijiju said. “This is a lesson for everyone. You cannot just say anything and assume you’ll get away with it. The directive from the Supreme Court serves as a reminder—you cannot make statements against the country.”
His comments came a day after the Supreme Court pulled up Rahul Gandhi for claiming that China had occupied 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory following a 2022 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Yangtse region of Arunachal Pradesh.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih questioned the basis of Gandhi’s claims. Justice Datta remarked, “How do you get to know that 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory was occupied by China? What is the credible material? If you are a true Indian, you would not say this.”
Rahul Gandhi had made the controversial remarks on December 16, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, alleging that the Indian media was ignoring serious issues such as the killing of 20 Indian soldiers and the reported loss of territory to China.
“People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra, about Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. But they won’t ask a single question about China capturing 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killing 20 Indian soldiers, and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh,” Gandhi had said during the Yatra.
In defense of her brother, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said earlier today that the remarks were being misinterpreted and insisted Rahul Gandhi deeply respects the Indian Armed Forces.
“My brother would never say anything against the Army. He holds them in the highest regard. This is a misinterpretation. It is the job of the Leader of Opposition to question the government. That doesn’t make him less of an Indian,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
The debate has once again reignited tensions between the ruling BJP and the Congress over national security and freedom of expression, especially when it pertains to criticism of the government’s handling of sensitive issues like border disputes with China.
