New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly misquoting the Army Chief in his remarks on the situation in eastern Ladakh. Singh accused Gandhi of falsely attributing statements to General Upendra Dwivedi, which he claimed the Army Chief had "never" made.
The controversy stems from Gandhi’s address in the Lok Sabha on February 3, where he commented on the ongoing border tensions with China. During his speech, Gandhi said, “Our Chief of Army Staff has said that the Chinese are inside our territory.” This statement quickly gained traction, prompting a strong response from Singh.
In a post on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), Singh condemned Gandhi’s remarks, stressing the importance of accuracy when discussing national security issues. He clarified that the Army Chief’s actual comments had only referred to "disturbances in traditional patrolling" by both Indian and Chinese forces, which, according to Singh, had been restored to their usual patterns following a recent disengagement agreement.
"The Army Chief's remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides," Singh explained. He added, “These practices have since been restored as part of the recent disengagement process,” reiterating that the words attributed to the Army Chief by Gandhi were never spoken.
Singh further expressed regret over what he described as "irresponsible politics on matters of national interest" by the Leader of Opposition. He also pointed out that if any Indian territory had been encroached upon by China, it would be the 38,000 square kilometers in Aksai Chin, which was lost during the 1962 conflict, and an additional 5,180 square kilometers ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.
Singh advised Gandhi to reflect on this chapter of India’s history, saying, “Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history.”
During his parliamentary address, Gandhi had claimed, “Today, we have the Chinese (on our land) but the Prime Minister has denied it, and the Army disagreed with the Prime Minister.” He questioned the government’s position, alleging a contradiction between the Prime Minister’s denial of Chinese intrusion and the Army Chief's admission of Chinese presence on Indian soil. Gandhi said, “The PM has denied that Chinese forces are inside our territory, but for some reason, our Army keeps talking to the Chinese about their entry into our territory.”
Earlier, on January 13, General Dwivedi had acknowledged the ongoing "degree of standoff" between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. He emphasized the need for both sides to engage in dialogue to ease tensions, restore trust, and establish a broader understanding for peaceful coexistence.
The controversy stems from Gandhi’s address in the Lok Sabha on February 3, where he commented on the ongoing border tensions with China. During his speech, Gandhi said, “Our Chief of Army Staff has said that the Chinese are inside our territory.” This statement quickly gained traction, prompting a strong response from Singh.
In a post on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), Singh condemned Gandhi’s remarks, stressing the importance of accuracy when discussing national security issues. He clarified that the Army Chief’s actual comments had only referred to "disturbances in traditional patrolling" by both Indian and Chinese forces, which, according to Singh, had been restored to their usual patterns following a recent disengagement agreement.
"The Army Chief's remarks referred only to the disturbance of traditional patrolling by both sides," Singh explained. He added, “These practices have since been restored as part of the recent disengagement process,” reiterating that the words attributed to the Army Chief by Gandhi were never spoken.
Singh further expressed regret over what he described as "irresponsible politics on matters of national interest" by the Leader of Opposition. He also pointed out that if any Indian territory had been encroached upon by China, it would be the 38,000 square kilometers in Aksai Chin, which was lost during the 1962 conflict, and an additional 5,180 square kilometers ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.
Singh advised Gandhi to reflect on this chapter of India’s history, saying, “Rahul Gandhi may consider introspecting about this phase of our history.”
During his parliamentary address, Gandhi had claimed, “Today, we have the Chinese (on our land) but the Prime Minister has denied it, and the Army disagreed with the Prime Minister.” He questioned the government’s position, alleging a contradiction between the Prime Minister’s denial of Chinese intrusion and the Army Chief's admission of Chinese presence on Indian soil. Gandhi said, “The PM has denied that Chinese forces are inside our territory, but for some reason, our Army keeps talking to the Chinese about their entry into our territory.”
Earlier, on January 13, General Dwivedi had acknowledged the ongoing "degree of standoff" between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. He emphasized the need for both sides to engage in dialogue to ease tensions, restore trust, and establish a broader understanding for peaceful coexistence.
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