‘Why Are They So Scared Of Ex-Army Chief’s Perspective?’: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at the government after it objected to his remarks at the beginning of his speech during debate on motion of thanks to the President’s address and asked, “why are they so scared of the Army Chief’s perspective?”

Rahul Gandhi sought to quote from a magazine report on the border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, which cited an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief MM Naravane.

Talking to reporters, the Congress leader alleged that the book is not being allowed to be published.

Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, told reporters that the government is scared because if it comes out, “the reality of Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh will be revealed to the people”

“This is not me, this is what the Army Chief (former) has written in a book. The book is not being allowed to be published. It is languishing, and this is the (former) Army Chief’s perspective. Why are they so scared of the (former) Army Chief’s perspective? Why are they so scared of what the (former) Army Chief has to say? We will learn something from it. Of course, we will learn something about a Prime Minister. We will learn something about Rajnath Singh ji. But we will also learn something about the Army and how it was let down by the political leadership of the country,” the Congress leader said.

“I’m saying that Naravane ji has clearly written about the Prime Minister and Rajnath Singh ji in his book. It has appeared in an article. I am quoting the article. They are not letting me speak… They are scared because if it comes out, the reality of Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh will be revealed to the people and what happened to the 56-inch chest when China was standing against us, advancing,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi said he wants to speak in the House, “but is not being allowed to speak”.

“I want to speak in the House. I don’t know why they are scared. The point here is exactly what the Prime Minister said and what Rajnath Singh Ji said. Whether the land was taken or not, that’s a different question. We’ll come to that. But before we come to that, the leader of the country is supposed to give direction. The leader of the country is not supposed to run away from decisions and leave decisions to other people’s shoulders. That is what the Prime Minister has done,” he said.

“I am not being allowed to speak. I just have to speak 2-3 lines. It is a matter of national security. These are the words of the Army Chief (former), and it is a conversation that he has had with Rajnath Singh ji and PM Modi. All I am saying is that I want to say in the House what the Army Chief (former) has written and what orders did Rajnath Singh and PM Modi give him,” he added.

Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed repeated interruptions and was adjourned for the day amid prolonged stalemate over Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on speaking about a specific matter pertaining standoff with China during border tensions in 2020 while referring to report citing unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General MM Naravane. BJP members strongly objected to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and said he was speaking against the rules of the House.

The House, which began discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address, was adjourned till 3 pm, than till 4 pm and later for the day.

Speaker Om Birla ruled that Rahul Gandhi should not make references to the unpublished book and the article. When the House met at 3 pm, the Speaker urged the Leader of Opposition to proceed with his speech without mentioning his intended reference. He said that the House works according to the rules.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to demoralize the armed forces.

“Our party initiated the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. All of us were seated to hear the speech of LoP Rahul Gandhi. But right from the beginning, Rahul Gandhi flouted rules and started quoting from a book whose publication and authenticity of a book is not clearly mentioned. Defence Minister and all of us said that the House will function as per rules and one should speak as per rules…One cannot challenge the Chair. Even after the ruling of Lok Sabha Speaker, Rahul Gandhi kept repeating the same mistake…He wasted half an hour, violated rules and kept saying the same thing. He started speaking on China border…Can Congress party bring back the landmass that was captured by China in 1959 and 1962?…Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation,” he said

“If someone is born in a known family, are they above the Parliament? Are they above the rules? India is a democratic nation and function as per rules…Rahul Gandhi doesn’t follow any rules. He considers himself above Parliament. Senior Congress leaders got up and started clapping…Rahul Gandhi should use his brains and make his MPs understand to follow rules. That is my request to him. He should apologise for the sin of Congress with respect to China border,” he added.

Amid Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on making his intended remarks about the border standoff with China, Rijiju said the House should also discuss “what should be done with a member who doesn’t obey the Speaker’s ruling in Lok Sabha”.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also urged the Chair to not allow the Congress leader to make such reference. (ANI)