Cong hits out at PM over face-offs with Chinese PLA in Arunachal

NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (PTI): The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported “face-offs” with the Chinese army in Arunachal Pradesh, asking him to take the nation and Parliament into confidence by making a comprehensive statement on the border situation.
The opposition party accused Modi of being a “coward” for not raising border issues with China during his meetings with the Chinese President and said India’s interests cannot be allowed to be surrendered.
The party said the truth about China has come out in the open with ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Kapoor admitting that skirmishes with China continue at the border and that in the past few days a situation arose “where a face-off happened at several locations in Arunachal, and it still continues”.
The Congress claimed that owing to the PM’s “clean chit” in 2020 after violence in eastern Ladakh, China felt emboldened in Arunachal Pradesh.
There was no immediate response by the government or the BJP on the Congress claims and allegations.
In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Enough clean chits to China. PM Modi must come clean before India!” He said India’s armed forces had complete confidence of the people, “but national security demands accountability, not diplomatic photo opportunities and Hugplomacy!”
“Instead of attacking the Opposition, PM Modi must take Parliament and the Nation into confidence,” Kharge said, posing a set of three questions on national security, economic policy and diplomatic accountability.
Noting that the ITBP DG’s confirmation of continuing face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh was “deeply alarming”, he asked whether another serious confrontation was unfolding after Doklam and Galwan.
Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said there had been a “deafening silence” on China from the PM and his establishment.
“While the self-styled Vishwaguru’s calibrated concessions to China continue, the DG, ITBP, has lauded — and rightly so — its performance in recent face-offs with the PLA in Arunachal Pradesh, on which there has been a deafening silence from the PM and his establishment,” Ramesh said on X.
“India has been paying the price for the PM’s infamous clean chit to China on June 19, 2020,” Ramesh said.
Addressing a press conference, the Congress’s head of media and publicity Pawan Khera said the Prime Minister gave China a clean chit in 2020.
“In 2026, the country deserves a clean account of what is happening on its borders.
Enough of clean chits to China, it is time for the Modi government to come clean before India,” he said.
Khera displayed a cup bearing the words “Naam Narendra, kaam Surrender” and showing a banner that read “Yuvaon ko peetne mein dhurandar, China ke aage dandwat surrender”.
Highlighting China’s role during Operation Sindoor when it actively helped Pakistan, Khera alleged, “But, we have surrendered on every occasion. Modi ji has become ‘kkk Congress’ as he continues to attack the Congress but does not answer the questions posed”.
“You are like a toxic lover or a ‘sanki aashiq’ who keeps attacking the Congress except answer the questions raised on China. We have nothing to do with you; you take care of the government instead,” Khera said.
“The Indian National Congress demands a comprehensive statement in Parliament by the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Home Minister; a confidential all-party briefing; a credible account of restored patrolling access and frontier communities’ rights; and a time-bound plan to modernise ITBP capabilities, strengthen forward infrastructure and reduce strategic dependence on China,” he said, adding that the armed forces do not lack courage, they need political clarity, equipment and unwavering support.