Siliguri: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again raised concern over the increase in Chinese activities in Indian territory in Ladakh and called for dealing firmly with the hostile neighbour. Addressing a press conference, Rahul claimed that China is sitting on almost 2,000 sq km of Indian territory and the Center thinks nothing is happening.
The Congress Wayanad MP warned that the people of the country would not tolerate China “sitting on Indian soil”. “The government is under the impression that the Chinese have not taken any land from India. A delegation from Ladakh clearly stated that 2000 sq km of Indian territory was taken by the Chinese. He also said that many patrolling points which used to be in India are now firmly in Chinese hands,” Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress leader made the critical remarks during a press conference on the eve of the conclusion of his 134-day Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Attacking the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, the Wayanad MP said, “The government’s complete denial that China has taken our land is extremely dangerous” as it will only make them more aggressive. Will get the trust of things.
“Government is in complete denial that China has taken our land which is dangerous and will give them confidence to do more aggressive things. We have to deal firmly with Chinese and tell them that they are sitting on our land , have won.” will not be tolerated,” he said.
Hitting out at the Center over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leader dared Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to walk from Jammu to Lal Chowk if the situation in the Union Territory is so good.
He said, ‘Target killings and bomb blasts are happening in Jammu and Kashmir and if the security situation has improved then the security personnel talking to me was not needed. If the situation is so good then why don’t the BJP people leave here. Jammu to Lal Chowk? If the situation is so safe then why doesn’t Amit Shah move from Jammu to Kashmir? I don’t think this argument is valid,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Significantly, the Congress had alleged serious security lapses during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir. Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, the police system “completely collapsed” and he had to “cancel” his padyatra. When asked about plans after the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, “I am tired after traveling 4000 kms. I want to take some rest, then I will have to think about the future.”
Responding to several questions about the restoration of the state, the Congress leader said this should be the first step taken in J&K. “Restoration of statehood and democratic process is a fundamental and very important first step. Other steps will come later and I do not need to comment on it here,” he said, referring to a question about holding talks with Pakistan. Is.”
He said, “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.” Responding to a question about the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress Working Committee has already clarified its stand on the issue.
Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Modi government on August 5, 2019. Exuding his confidence in being able to bring the opposition together against the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, “Opposition parties may have their differences. But they will always be united against the RSS and the BJP.
BJP and RSS are attacking the institutional structure of this country. Be it Parliament, Legislative Assembly, Judiciary or Media. All institutions are being attacked and captured by the BJP. What you have seen in different parts of the country and in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of that attack on the institutional structure.
Regarding the yatra that will end on Monday, the party leader said that this march has now become a movement of the common people and not of the Congress. He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra offers an alternative vision of brotherhood to the “politics of hatred and arrogance” of the BJP and the RSS.
The yatra will go up to Nehru Park in the Boulevard area of the city and end on Monday. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began in Kanyakumari on September 7, will end in Srinagar on January 30 after covering 3,970 km, 12 states and two union territories.
(with agency inputs)