NEW DELHI, India: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge have questioned the Centre over reports of increased Chinese activity in Arunachal Pradesh, including alleged changes in Indian Army patrolling and access to sensitive border areas. The Congress leaders sought answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Rahul Gandhi described reports of Indian Army patrols being stopped at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh as “extremely alarming”.
- Mallikarjun Kharge questioned alleged PLA activity near Taksing and India’s reported access to Shera-5.
- Kharge raised concerns over reportedly limited winter patrolling and access for local communities.
- Both leaders linked their concerns to the wider border situation following the 2020 Galwan clash.
Rahul Gandhi Raises Questions Over Arunachal Pradesh Border Reports
Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that reports suggesting China had stopped Indian Army patrols at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh were deeply concerning. He questioned why the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Home Minister had not publicly addressed the reported development.
“China has stopped our army from patrolling in several places in Arunachal Pradesh – this is extremely alarming.”
Gandhi also alleged that the government was putting pressure on the media to suppress reports instead of taking steps to stop China. The Congress MP made the allegations in a post on X.
He further referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement following the Galwan clash, alleging that the statement that China had not taken any Indian territory had harmed India’s interests. Gandhi accused the government of continuing to focus on protecting the Prime Minister’s image rather than national security.
Kharge Questions PLA Presence Near Taksing
Mallikarjun Kharge separately raised concerns over reports of increased Chinese activity in Arunachal Pradesh. He asked whether the People’s Liberation Army had expanded its presence near Taksing and whether India had lost regular access to Shera-5, described in his post as a designated Patrolling Point.
“Has the PLA expanded its presence near Taksing and has India lost regular access to Shera-5, a designated Patrolling Point?”
Kharge also questioned why Indian patrolling was reportedly restricted during winter in the sensitive sector while the PLA allegedly maintained a year-round presence. He asked whether traditional grazing and hunting grounds had become inaccessible to local communities.
Congress Raises Wider Questions Over Border Access
Kharge expanded his criticism beyond Arunachal Pradesh and raised questions about the status of the India-China border following the 2020 Galwan clash. He asked whether the pre-May 2020 status quo ante in Eastern Ladakh had been fully restored.
The Congress president also questioned whether India continued to have full access to all areas and Patrolling Points that it had accessed before May 2020. He accused the BJP government of hiding facts about the situation on the ground and not taking Parliament into confidence.
Kharge also referred to the loss of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan clash and criticised what he described as the Prime Minister giving China a “CLEAN CHIT”. At the same time, he said the Congress had complete faith in the courage and capability of the Indian Armed Forces.
Government Response Awaited
The statements from Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have placed fresh political focus on reports concerning Chinese activity, Indian Army patrolling and access to sensitive areas in Arunachal Pradesh. Both leaders have called for explanations from the Centre.
The source material does not include a response from the Prime Minister, Defence Ministry or Home Ministry to the allegations raised by the Congress leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rahul Gandhi say about Arunachal Pradesh?
Rahul Gandhi described reports of Indian Army patrols being stopped at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh as extremely alarming and questioned the Centre’s response.
What did Mallikarjun Kharge ask about Shera-5?
Kharge asked whether India had lost regular access to Shera-5, which he described as a designated Patrolling Point, and whether PLA presence had expanded near Taksing.
What Happens Next
The Congress has demanded answers from the Centre over the reported developments along the sensitive border areas. Any official clarification from the government would determine how the allegations and reports are addressed.
Source attribution: ANI report and statements attributed to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in their respective posts on X.
