Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has defended her brother Rahul Gandhi, reacting to a recent Supreme Court observation. She stated that Rahul Gandhi has always deeply respected the country's army and that his statement was misrepresented.
New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has bly reacted to a recent Supreme Court observation questioning Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's alleged remarks about the Indian Army. Priyanka said that Rahul Gandhi has always deeply respected the Indian Army and that his statement was motivated by a sense of political accountability, not by any anti-national sentiment.
Context of the Supreme Court's Observation
The Supreme Court's observation pertained to Rahul Gandhi's statement after the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Yangtse sector of Arunachal Pradesh in 2022, in which he stated that China had occupied approximately 2000 square kilometers of Indian land. While hearing the matter, the bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih questioned,
"How did you find out that China has occupied 2000 square kilometers of land? A true Indian would not say this." This observation of the court has triggered sharp reactions in political circles.
Priyanka Gandhi's Response
Calling the court's observation a "misinterpretation," Priyanka Gandhi defended Rahul Gandhi, stating:
"Rahul Gandhi has always respected the country's army, their sacrifice, and service. He is merely fulfilling his constitutional duty as the Leader of the Opposition, and it is his right to demand answers from the government."
She further added that
"The court saying that 'a true Indian would not say this' is in itself concerning and reflects a limited mindset. No institution can decide who is a true Indian and who is not."
Questioning Parliament and Democracy
Priyanka Gandhi also questioned the stalemate in Parliament and the government's functioning, stating:
"Has the government become so weak that it is avoiding answering questions from the opposition? Parliament has been stalled for several days; the government is shying away from dialogue. When 'Operation Sindoor' can be discussed, then why not discuss important issues like border security and national security?"
She said that it is the job of the Leader of the Opposition to demand answers from the government, and if that cannot happen in Parliament, then the future of democracy could be in grave danger.
Rahul Gandhi's Stance: National Security vs. Transparency
Rahul Gandhi has previously demanded transparency from Parliament and the government regarding China's increasing activities on the border. According to him, the government should tell the people of the country what the actual situation is on the border, rather than hiding it. He has also said that asking questions is not anti-national but in the national interest.
The Supreme Court's observation has also sparked debate on social media and in civil society. Many experts and political analysts believe that no institution should have the right to decide who is a true Indian. In a democracy, asking questions, criticizing, and demanding accountability is the right of every citizen.
