PIL filed in SC against VK Singh's remarks on LAC

A social activist has filed a Public Interest Litigation in Supreme Court against retired General VK Singh seeking to declare him as someone who has breached his oath, following a controversial statement by Singh on India's perception and transgressions of the LAC.

New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to declare Union Minister and retired General VK Singh in breach of his oath for his recent statements on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The retired general, according to the plaint, had claimed that India transgressed (the LAC) many times, as per its perception.

The petition was filed by social activist, Chandrasekaran Ramaswamy, who listed out various events where Singh made controversial statements. According to the petition, in 2013 Singh claimed that the Indian Army was paying 'leaders' to maintain peace. It also cited media reports on Singh's derogatory comments against a particular community in 2015. The PIL also recalled Singh's comments after attending the Pakistan Day celebrations at country's high commission.

Recently, he claimed that China had transgressed the border many times based on its perception of LAC and India too has trangressed as per its own perception.

The Chinese had taken advantage of the statement made and used it to blame India for encroaching upon its perceived territory.

"The petitioner state, Union Minister Mr VK Singh's comments that India transgressed more frequently across the Line of Actual Control than the People's Liberation Army has not only given China a rare opportunity but also has contradicted India's long-held official position on the subject," read the plea.

"That petitioner state, how General VK Singh's comments presented a golden opportunity to China. Mr Singh's uncalled for remarks on the situation along the LAC has caused a furore in political, diplomatic and strategic circles at a time when Foreign Minister Mr S Jaishankar has been seriously building the case that China's mobilisation of troops in breach of protocols and agreements, and unilaterally altering the LAC had seriously unhinged the interdependence of peace and stability on the borders with overall bilateral relations," read the plea further.

The plea has been filed through Advocate Narender Kumar Verma.

Read: India's stand vindicated after Pakistan's admission of role in Pulwama attack: VK Singh