Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday launched a sharp critique against Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of praising China more than a Chinese spokesperson during his speech. Rijiju also demanded an apology from Gandhi, holding him indirectly responsible for land losses to China during the 1959 and 1962 conflicts under the leadership of his grandfather, then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Authentication of Claims
Rijiju expressed concern over Rahul Gandhi’s statements, emphasizing the importance of substantiating claims made in Parliament. He stated that the Speaker had asked Gandhi four times to authenticate his remarks, but the opposition leader left without providing evidence.
“When the Leader of Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) was speaking today, the Speaker asked him multiple times to authenticate his claims. LoP is a responsible position, and statements must be made thoughtfully. If such remarks go unverified, it sets a dangerous precedent for future debates,” Rijiju said.
He further added, “Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the land China took during 1959 and 1962, when his grandfather Nehru was in power. This is the Parliament of India, and we will not tolerate any insult to the nation here.”
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Joins Criticism
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also targeted Gandhi, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and undermining India’s economic policies. Dubey claimed that Gandhi misrepresented facts about India’s manufacturing sector and alleged that past Congress-led governments weakened domestic industries by signing trade agreements favoring China.
Dubey highlighted a trade agreement signed during the Congress-led UPA regime that allegedly allowed zero-duty imports from China, harming India’s manufacturing sector. He contrasted this with the Modi government’s decision not to join the ITA-2 agreement, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative to boost domestic manufacturing.
Dubey further challenged Gandhi to provide evidence for his claims about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies or issue a public apology. “If you cannot authenticate your statements, apologize to the country for the lies you’ve spread and the harm you’ve caused to the nation’s credibility,” Dubey asserted.
Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on China and ‘Make in India’
Earlier, during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, claiming it had failed to revive the manufacturing sector. He pointed out that the sector’s share in GDP had declined from 15.3% in 2014 to 12.6%, the lowest in 60 years.
Gandhi also spoke about competition with China, emphasizing that the neighboring country had a ten-year lead in industries like batteries, robots, motors, and optics. However, he noted that India could catch up with the right policies and vision.
“China is sitting inside this country because ‘Make in India’ has failed,” Gandhi said, adding that India’s dependence on Chinese imports in critical sectors posed a risk to national security.
Strong Opposition from BJP Members
Gandhi’s remarks were met with strong objections from BJP members. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla repeatedly asked him to substantiate his claims, particularly about Chinese forces being on Indian territory.
Kiren Rijiju accused Gandhi of using “frivolous language” that was unbecoming of his position and spreading lies about national security. Rijiju reiterated the need for responsible and evidence-based discourse in Parliament.
The debate reflected deep divisions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both sides accusing each other of mishandling critical national issues.
