“Issue of de-escalation of troops from along the LAC has been pending since October last year,” say some analysts; “In Modi’s India, asking questions is branded “anti-national.” Silence is patriotism, and the “True Indian” badge is reserved for the timid, the blindfolded, and the spineless,” says Congress
Nine months after India and China announced disengagement of troops from two friction points from along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the issue remains active both politically as well as strategically.
The Supreme Court’s sharp remarks against the Congress leader for his remark on Chinese occupation on Indian land on Monday led to a range of opinions—from a very angry reaction from his party to some analysts questioning the status of “buffer zones” on LAC and the LAC issue remains “unresolved”.
Some videos were also posted on social media as “proof” that Gandhi visited Ladakh where “local people told him that Chinese have captured our land.”
The BJP, meanwhile, launched a scathing attack on the Congress leader, questioning whether he was aiding enemy nations instead of supporting India’s sovereignty and national security.
What SC said
“If you are a true Indian, you would not say such a thing,” the SC said, censuring Gandhi over his alleged remarks during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“You are the leader of the opposition. Why don’t you say things in Parliament, why do you have to say it on social media?” the judges questioned, also asking the basis of his allegation.
“How do you know that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by the Chinese? Were you there? Do you have any credible material?
“Why do you make these statements without having any material? If you are a true Indian, you won’t say such a thing,” the Bench said
‘Oh my lord’ !! says Congress
Gandhi’s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that if he can’t say things published in the Press, he can’t be a leader of opposition. Regarding the “true Indian” remark, he replied, “It is also possible that a true Indian will say that our 20 Indian soldiers were beaten up and killed, this is also a matter of concern.”
In his scathing statement, Congress’ KC Venugopal said “in Modi’s India, asking questions is branded “anti-national.” Silence is patriotism, and the “True Indian” badge is reserved for the timid, the blindfolded, and the spineless.”
“When Parliament is silenced, the streets must roar.
“The issue of Chinese incursions is not just serious, it strikes at the heart of national sovereignty. We have repeatedly demanded answers, both inside and outside Parliament.
“But this Government, in its delirium to peddle propaganda and project hollow bravado 24×7, is too afraid to face real questions in Parliament.
“When a government fails so spectacularly to defend our borders, it is every citizen’s moral obligation to hold it accountable.
“But in Modi’s India, asking questions is branded “anti-national.” Silence is patriotism, and the “True Indian” badge is reserved for the timid, the blindfolded, and the spineless, he said, ending with a sarcastic “Oh my Lord!!’
That comment appeared to be directed at the court
‘Unresolved’ LAC, ‘buffer zones’
In October 2024 after South Block announced a breakthrough in India-Chinese border talks and the disengagement process started at the LAC, the government maintained that troops will now return to pre-2020 positions but those in know of developments say “buffer zones” was not included in the patrolling arrangement
In December, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha that moratorium on patrolling in the buffer zones created between February 2021 and September 2022 in some locations along the India-China LAC to end the military stand-off “can be revisited as the situation demands”,
“It is not about this 2000 sq-km, whether this figure is right or wrong, it is about the rationale of having a moratorium on patrolling despite China’s repeated moves to push the LAC westward into the territory of India,” analysts say.
In June/ July, India twice pressed upon China for resolving ‘issues’ along the LAC.
“The two sides do not have a demarcated border and LAC acts as a de-facto boundary. The issue of de-escalation of troops from along the LAC has been pending since October last year when the two sides agreed to dis-engage from two friction spots,” they add.
