New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over reported face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding a comprehensive statement in Parliament on the border situation and accusing the government of keeping the country in the dark about developments along the frontier.
The Opposition party accused Modi of being a "coward" for "not raising" border issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meetings, asserting that India's interests could not be allowed to be surrendered. It cited remarks attributed to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapoor, who reportedly acknowledged continuing skirmishes with Chinese troops and said face-offs had occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent days and were still continuing.
The Congress alleged that the Prime Minister's "clean chit" to China in 2020, following the violence in eastern Ladakh, had emboldened Beijing. There was no immediate response from the government or the BJP to the allegations.
In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Enough clean chits to China. PM Modi must come clean before India!"
Kharge said the armed forces enjoyed the complete confidence of the people, but national security required accountability rather than diplomatic photo opportunities and "Hugplomacy". He urged Modi to take Parliament and the country into confidence instead of attacking the Opposition.
Referring to the reported face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh, Kharge described the developments as "deeply alarming" and asked whether another serious confrontation was unfolding after Doklam and Galwan.
He also referred to reports of Chinese incursions near Taksing in August and said confrontations were continuing even 47 days after Corps Commander-level talks at Wacha Damai, reportedly around 180 km away.
"Has India's patrolling access been compromised? Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India. Why is the nation being kept in the dark?" he asked, questioning whether India's patrolling rights that existed before May 2020 had been fully restored.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh accused the Prime Minister and his establishment of maintaining a "deafening silence" on China.
In his post, Ramesh referred to the ITBP chief's reported remarks on the force's performance during recent face-offs with the People's Liberation Army in Arunachal Pradesh. He alleged that India continued to pay the price for Modi's statement on June 19, 2020, following the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in eastern Ladakh.
Ramesh quoted the Prime Minister as saying, "Na koi wahan humari seema mein ghus aaya hai aur na hi koi ghusa hua hai, na hi humari koi post kisi doosre ke kabze mein hai".
"The country does not want hollow claims about a '56-inch chest'; it demands clear answers regarding national security," he said.
Addressing a press conference, Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said the country deserved a clear account of developments on the borders in 2026. He displayed a cup bearing the words "Naam Narendra, kaam Surrender" and a banner targeting the Prime Minister over China's actions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.