‘Need to Deal With China Firmly': Rahul Gandhi Slams Centre’s ‘Dangerous Approach’

Chinese Incursion In Ladakh: Rahul Gandhi also targeted the Centre over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and challenged the Union Home Minister and other BJP leaders to walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk if the situation is so good in the UT.

Srinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again raised an alarm over increasing Chinese activities in the Indian territory in Ladakh and called for dealing with the hostile neighbour with a firm hand. Addressing a press conference, Rahul claimed that China is sitting on nearly around 2,000 sq km of Indian Territory and the Centre appears to be under the impression that nothing is happening.

The Congress Wayanad MP warned that the people of the country will not tolerate China "sitting on Indian land". “Government is under the impression that the Chinese have not taken any land from India. A delegation from Ladakh clearly said that 2000 square km of Indian Territory was taken by the Chinese. They also said that many patrolling points that used to be in India are now firmly in Chinese hands," said Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress leader made these critical remarks during a press conference on the eve of the culmination of his 134-day Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Attacking the Narendra Mod-led BJP government at the Centre, the Wayanad MP said the “approach that the government was following by completely denying that the Chinese have taken our land is extremely dangerous” as it would give them the confidence to do even more aggressive things.

"The approach Government is following by completely denying that the Chinese have taken our land is dangerous and it will give them more confidence to do more aggressive things. We have to deal with the Chinese firmly and tell them they are sitting on our land, won`t be tolerated," he said.

Further targeting the Centre over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leader challenged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk if the situation is so good in the Union Territory.

"Target killing and bomb blasts are happening in Jammu and Kashmir and if the security situation has improved then the conversation the security personnel is having with me should not have been required. If the situation is so good why don`t the BJP people walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk? Why doesn`t Amit Shah walk from Jammu to Kashmir if the situation is so secure? I don`t think that argument holds," said Rahul Gandhi.

It may be recalled that Congress has alleged a serious security lapse during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir. Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi alleged that police arrangement "completely collapsed" during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir and he had "to cancel" his walk. When asked about his plans after the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, "I am tired after traveling 4000 km. I want to take some rest, then I have to think about the future. “

Responding to several questions about the restoration of statehood, the Congress leader said it should be the first step taken in Jammu and Kashmir. "Statehood and restoration of the democratic process is a fundamental and very important first step. The other steps will come later, and I do not necessarily have to comment on it here," he said, referring to a question about holding talks with Pakistan.

"All states have an assembly. The democratic process is the right of the people, and it should be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. A solution should be found for the people of Ladakh as well," he added. In response to a question about the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress Working Committee has already made its stand clear on the issue.

Article 370 which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked by the Modi government on August 5, 2019. Posing his faith in succeeding to bring together Opposition against the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, "Opposition parties may have their differences, but they will always stand united against RSS and BJP."He further said that yatra may have traversed the country from South to North but its impact is countrywide."

The BJP and RSS are attacking the institutional framework of this country. Whether it is Parliament, assemblies, judiciaries, or media. All institutions are being attacked and captured by the BJP. What you have seen in different parts of the country and Jammu and Kashmir is the result of that assault on the institutional framework," he said.

The yatra which will culminate on Monday, the party leader said this march is no longer a Congress but has become a movement for the common people. He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra provides an alternative vision of brotherhood to BJP and RSS` "politics of hate and arrogance".

The yatra will proceed to Nehru Park in the Boulevard area of the city and will culminate on Monday. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after covering 3,970 km, 12 states, and two Union territories. 

(With Agency Inputs)