Cong questions Modi, Rajnath 'silence' on border stand-off

The Congress leader also asked the two to come forward and confirm if China had captured Indian territory at three locations on the border.

New Delhi:A day after 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a violent face-off at Ladakh's Galwan Valley, Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over the matter and requested him to take the nation into confidence over the matter.

"Is it true that the infiltration reportedly took place in the areas of Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh and many Indian soldiers died while several others were left injured in the clash? If so, why are the PM and Defence Minister maintaining silence?," Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala asked while talking to the media.

He said: "According to an Indian Army statement, officers and soldiers of our Army were martyred on Monday night when the process of de-escalation was going on in the Galwan Valley. Will the PM and the Defence Minister take the nation into confidence on how our officers and soldiers were martyred when the Chinese Army was de-escalating from our territory in the Galwan Valley? The central government should tell how and under what circumstances our Army officers and soldiers were martyred."

The Congress leader also asked the two to come forward and confirm if China had captured Indian territory at three locations on the border. "They should come forward to answer whatever the case is. Yes or no, they should come and clarify."

He also mentioned that Congress, as well as other political parties, have urged to the Government many times, to address the nation about the border strains between India and China, how much land has been occupied by the Chinese troops and what is India's strategy to tackle this situation.

"But the careless and failed government kept busy in its political processions, electoral battles, conspiracies to topple the opposition governments and kept on hiding the truth of border situation from the entire country," he alleged.

Surjewala's remarks came shortly after the former party President Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Modi for his silence over the issue.

He slammed the government by saying that despite the warnings, Center kept it's 'eyes closed' and 'allowed' the martyrdom of soldiers in the Galwan Valley.

In one of his tweet, as a reply to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Surjewala took a jibe at the government, stating, "I wish, Modi ji and you had taken some time off from 'Jan Samvad' rallies and demolishing opposition governments, to strengthen the nation's security, China could have never dared to do it. Why are you scared to mention the name of 'China' in your tweets? Now come out of the twitter and break the silence."

In a recent statement of Prime Minister Office, an all-party meeting has been called at 5 pm, today, in order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting.

(Inputs from IANS)