Chidambaram on India-China clash: Rajnath’s statement was empty, House discussion was desirable
Congress leader P Chidambaram alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of even mentioning China, and that the government should have allowed a discussion in Parliament
Chidambaram said the government is taking China's threat so seriously that it is afraid to speak about it. (Express file)
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On a day Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in Parliament on the fresh face-off between Indian and Chinese forces in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member P Chidambaram spoke to The Indian Express, calling the statement completely bland and empty. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of even mentioning China, and that the government should have allowed a discussion in Parliament.
Are you satisfied with the statement made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the fresh Chinese transgression?
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Obviously not. He said nothing more than what appeared in the newspapers this morning. I got the information from the newspapers at 6am. What is the additional information he has given us at 12.30pm. He might as well read from the newspapers. In fact, it was a completely bland and empty statement. Therefore, there was nothing that was added to the information of the members of Parliament.
You wanted to seek clarifications from the Defence Minister. What did you want to ask?
I would have asked… how does it happen that China chooses the date, the time and the place of the intrusion. And this is not the first time that it has happened. This happened in Galwan in 2020. After that every intrusion has happened at the time, place and date of China’s choice. So, what are you doing about deterring China from making these periodic intrusions?
Do you believe the government is not taking the threat by China seriously?
The government is taking it so seriously that it is afraid to speak about it. They are afraid to mention the word China. The Prime Minister does not mention the word China. He does not mention what happened when he met Mr Xi Jinping, the president of China. He has run into Mr Xi several times. The last meeting was at the G20 summit. He was there with Xi and they were in the same room. The Prime Minister does not mention the word China and he does not explain or take the House into confidence on what he told Xi about the intrusions. Did he tell Xi anything about the intrusions or not?
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The demand of the Opposition to allow a discussion on the issue or seek clarifications from the Defence Minister was not accepted.
It is completely wrong. There have been discussions in the past after a minister makes a statement in the Rajya Sabha. For example, there was a discussion on the ‘cash for vote’ transaction during (P V) Narasimha Rao’s time. Secondly, when the Anna Hazare movement was on, there was a discussion for seven hours after a statement made in the Rajya Sabha. Some 27 members participated in that discussion. Again, there was a full discussion in Rajya Sabha on Lokpal after a statement by the minister. So, we have at least two or three examples of a full discussion after a minister’s statement . Now, how can you say there can be no discussion after a statement made by a minister.
The argument by the Chair was that it was a sensitive border issue.
If it is such a sensitive border issue, then have a closed-door session. Have an in-camera session of Parliament. If you don’t want to do that, then invite the opposition leaders — at least the parliamentary party leaders of major parties — and let the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister take the leaders into confidence.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
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