New Delhi: Voicing concern over repeated incursions by China, Congress today made a scathing attack on Narendra Modi government, demanding that the Prime Minister give a statement and lodge a "real strong protest" with Chinese President on the "unacceptable" development.
The party also demanded an "apology" from the Prime Minister alleging that an official of the Gujarat government, while signing three MoUs with a province of China here in the presence of Modi a few days back, had distributed a handout showing Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed territory.
"Now the question arises whether in the MoU too, has this particular map (showing Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territory) been shown. Modi during his election campaign in Arunachal Pradesh made rhetorical speech and promised that he will not allow the country to bow down and and will not allow even an inch of the country's land to go away.
"In this MoU, Arunachal Pradesh has been shown as a disputed territory. The Prime Minister should apologise for this major lapse and blunder," party general secretary Ajay Maken said on his blog.
He was referring to a meeting on September 17 in New Delhi in which three MoUs were signed between the government of Gujarat and Gaundang province of China in presence of Modi during which the Additional Chief Secretary of the state D Pandian had distributed a handout showing map of Gaundong province.
Dubbing the "incursions, intrusions and infiltration" by China in the Indian territory as "brazen and blatant", party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that such a scenario is "absolutely unacceptable" for the sovereignty, ethos and foreign policy of the country.
Accusing the government of "treating a very serious issue lightly", Singhvi rued that there is "no statement either from the Prime Minister or anybody else sufficiently senior and high in government hierarchy".
"We demand that the Prime Minister must make a proper statement on the issue and unequivocally and firmly write to the Chinese President a strongly worded letter, which should be made public," Singhvi said, asking Modi to "walk the talk".
Noting how the incursions were "growing" since the Chinese President was in the country, Singhvi wondered whether these incidents were not an "insult to India".
"Those who spoke of a 56-inch chest and projected themselves as strong and promised the nation that they will not let it down, must walk the talk. Please do at least what you say...Do not humiliate your own central minister, do not humiliate the nation. Do more and talk less," Singhvi said targeting Modi.
He accused the government of "humiliating" its own minister by keeping Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju away during the Chinese President's visit to India.
Rijiju hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which China considers as a disputed territory.
Wondering whether foreign diplomacy is all about "symbolism, photo opportunities and saying goody goody things", Singhvi said that the incursions by Chinese forces into Indian territory when President of that country was here was "like a slap on your face that I come to your house and at the same time my troops are also intruding your territory".
Referring to the map controversy, Singhvi said that while it shows some parts of J&K also as disputed territory like Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin has been shown as fully Chinese territory.
"While talking to Chinese, you are showing parts of India as highly sensitive or disputed territories. It's not a question of lapse. It's a very serious issue," Singhvi said.
The Congress leader's remarks came as the stand-off in Chumar area of Ladakh area took a new turn with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) pitching seven tents well within the Indian territory and showing no signs of withdrawing from the territory.
The Chinese who had arrived in vehicles in Chumar, 300 km from Leh, started erecting the tents in the Indian territory despite repeated warnings by the army to vacate the area.
