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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ladakh hasn’t impressed the Congress as he yet again avoided calling out China for the transgressions into Indian territory and the brutal attack on Indian soldiers.
Though the Congress did not release any formal statement on the Prime Minister’s visit to meet soldiers, many senior leaders felt this was a good occasion for Modi to unambiguously correct his stated position that nobody had intruded into India’s territory and strongly condemn China.
Modi, however, restricted himself to criticising expansi-onism, which is being considered too vague and too mild.
Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “No mention of China in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. In the address to the nation, no reference to China. In conversation with the soldiers today, there is no naming of China. Why is the Prime Minister of strong India so weak? Why is he so he-sitant in naming China? When will he look China in the eye?”
The Congress posted several messages on its official social media platforms in response to the Prime Minister’s visit, which indisputably will boost the morale of the forces after his “no-intrusion” damper, asking when Modi would openly condemn China.
The Congress said: “Ever since the treacherous night of June 15 (when 20 Indian soldiers were killed by the Chinese in the Galwan Valley), Indians have been kept in the dark about the ground realities on the borders. The time for silence is over, the time for answers is now. Living in denial doesn’t help anyone, least of all our soldiers. Can the PM clarify on new incursions by the Chinese?”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a video in the afternoon, several hours after Modi’s trip, along with the message: “Ladakhis say: China took our land. Prime Minister says: Nobody took our land. Obviously, someone is lying.” Modi refrained from confirming even on Friday if India’s land had been encroached on by the Chinese.
The video showed 28 residents of Ladakh emphatically talking about Chinese intrusions and encroachment. They spoke in definitive terms about intrusions at several points and capture of 3 to 4km of land. The Ladakh residents expressed surprise at the Prime Minister’s statement about no transgression. While some referred to a regular pattern of encroachment by the Chinese, others argued that the latest instance had been the worst.
The Congress also asked the government about fresh incursions, in places like the Depsang Plains and Daulat Beg Oldi and also pointed to reports that China had put up a Mandarin signboard at Pangong Tso. It also demanded immediate convening of Parliament to discuss the issue.
