Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday strongly denied claims made by Akhilesh Yadav about Chinese encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a debate on Operation Sindoor and the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Rijiju said, “Since 1962, China has not intruded even an inch into Indian territory.”
Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party MP from Kannauj, accused the government of ignoring Chinese actions on the border. He said that China is a danger to India’s land and is grabbing areas right under the government’s nose.
Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, responded quickly and firmly. He said that China has not taken any additional land in Arunachal since the 1962 war. “The areas that China currently holds were already under its control before or during the 1962 war,” he explained.
He stressed the need to correct the record, especially since Yadav’s claims could spread confusion among the public. Rijiju also pointed out that such remarks hurt the morale of the armed forces and could weaken India’s international position.
The debate was part of a special three-day Parliament session focusing on national security, especially the terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s counter-operation named Operation Sindoor.
The BJP and its allies praised the Modi government for giving a strong reply to Pakistan’s terror network and running a successful military operation.
On the other hand, opposition leaders raised concerns about repeated security lapses and asked why the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack have not yet been caught. They also pointed to international reports, like a claim by former US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, to question the government’s stand.
Rijiju’s comments aimed to put an end to the China-related accusations and shift focus back to India’s security actions and the bravery of the armed forces.
