Even as the BJP was busy celebrating its stupendous Gujarat win last Friday, Tawang region in Arunachal Pradesh was tense after alleged incursions by the Chinese PLA “to alter the LAC claims.”
However, it was only on Monday that the same came to popular light. Thereon, started a political battle between the Congress-led Opposition demanding an explanation and the ruling BJP government refusing to concede to one “since the matter was already discussed in the House.”
The Opposition accused the Government of remaining a “mute spectator” to “brazen Chinese aggressions” which, it said, affect India’s national security and territorial integrity.
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, also staged walkouts in both Houses after their push for a detailed discussion on the issue, following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on the incident along the Line of Actual Control, was unsuccessful. They had earlier forced the adjournment of both Houses for a while before Singh made the statement.
Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated: “… our national security and territorial integrity is being impinged upon by brazen Chinese transgressions as the Government remains a mute spectator.” In the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded a discussion.
Kharge also accused the Government of being oblivious to the Chinese construction of a “new radome and two high-frequency microwave towers and other ongoing construction in the area”.
“Construction of the Pangong Tso bridge along with decks on both sides facilitating easy movements of Chinese troops has also been brushed aside. Despite the demand to ensure the status quo ante as of April 2020, China has refused to vacate our territory and has been deliberately taking shelter behind the statement of our Prime Minister, dated 20th June 2020, saying that no one has entered our territory,” he said.
There were noisy scenes in both Houses after the Opposition’s demand for a discussion was turned down by the presiding officers. The House had to be adjourned till 12 noon after Opposition members came to the Well seeking a discussion. The Opposition’s demand for clarifications from the Defence Minister was also not accepted with Deputy Chairman Harivansh citing precedents and saying clarifications are not allowed on sensitive issues.
With the Congress MPs not budging from their position, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. After Singh made the statement at 12 noon, the Opposition MPs including those from the Congress, DMK and TMC sought clarifications. However, the Speaker did not allow the move citing rules that there was no such provision in the Lok Sabha.
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