In a vigorous counter, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unleashed a torrent of criticism against Rahul Gandhi, prompted by his allegations that China has annexed territory in Ladakh. The BJP probed a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party, raising questions if the pact mandated Gandhi to work against India’s interests and debilitate the morale of the Indian armed forces.
Gaurav Bhatia, the BJP spokesperson, launched this verbal assault shortly after Gandhi reasserted his claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier assertion – that China hadn’t seized any Indian land during the initial stages of the Ladakh standoff – was an “unambiguous falsehood.” Gandhi maintained that “the entirety of Ladakh is conscious that China has commandeered our land.”
In a swift riposte, Bhatia contended that when Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s prime minister, China had captured over 43,000 square kilometers of Indian territory. He challenged whether Gandhi deemed the revered Congress leader and his own great-grandfather as “traitors.” Bhatia noted that Gandhi recently utilized the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor) to label those who “relinquished a part of Bharat Mata” to China.
Bhatia demanded Gandhi to disclose the specifics of the MoU between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party, insinuating that the agreement might entail him to act as a “spy” against India and undermine the spirit of the Indian forces when they confront the Chinese decisively.
“Does this MoU also compel him to deride a prime minister, who stands as a protective shield for every citizen and has elevated India’s global stature, as ‘surrender Modi’?” Bhatia queried, alluding to Gandhi’s earlier disparagement.
Drawing attention to China’s donations to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Bhatia queried whether this could be construed as a “bribe” influencing Gandhi’s statements “against” India.
Bhatia staunchly asserted that no one would dare to encroach upon Indian territory under Modi’s leadership. He expressed confidence that the people of India would once again endorse him in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, resulting in the BJP retaining power with a stronger mandate.
In an earlier development, Gandhi deemed China’s release of a “standard map” that claims Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of its territory as a “grave matter.” He contended that China had already seized Indian land in Ladakh and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response on the issue.
Gandhi affirmed, “I have just returned from Ladakh, and I have been asserting for years that the PM’s claim that not even an inch of land was lost in Ladakh is an absolute falsehood. The entire region of Ladakh knows that China has taken our land.”
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi rebuked Gandhi for alleging that China has occupied India’s territory and accused him of making “baseless accusations.”
Joshi highlighted that China had captured Indian territory during Jawaharlal Nehru’s prime ministership, labeling Gandhi’s allegations as unsubstantiated.
“They (China) are engaging in activities in the area that was annexed during Nehru’s tenure. The Congress’s actions post-Independence are responsible for China becoming our neighbor. From the era of Tibet till today, their policies led to this situation,” Joshi expounded.
Joshi contended that Rahul Gandhi lacks comprehension of policies.
Recently, Beijing unveiled the 2023 edition of the so-called “standard map of China,” asserting sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.
“Our Ministry of External Affairs has already condemned China’s action on the map issue and protested vehemently. However, he (Rahul Gandhi) distrusts our Ministry of External Affairs and places faith in China’s statements,” the Union Minister expressed.
