Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 26 : Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday raised concerns about India's borders, questioning the government's stance on territorial integrity.
He alleged that the BJP government has led to a reduction in India's territory, accusing it of relying on propaganda.
The allegations come after Chinese officials allegedly detained a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Airport, claiming that "Arunachal is not part of India."
"The question has been asked many times: the Indian government should disclose the original and current areas of our country. What we observe during the BJP government is a consistent reduction in our borders. They depend heavily on propaganda and falsehoods. Despite this, it seems that our borders and land are shrinking under their leadership," Akhilesh Yadav said.
He urged vigilance against countries encroaching on Indian territory, emphasising the need for national security and territorial protection
"Additionally, China poses an obstacle to our country's progress and prosperity. We must remain vigilant against countries that repeatedly seize our territory," he added.
Meanwhile, India strongly rejected China's remarks regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh. It expressed serious concern over what it described as the "arbitrary detention" of an Indian national, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, at Shanghai International Airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the matter has been taken up with Chinese authorities at a high level, while reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh remains an "integral and inalienable" part of India.
Responding to media queries, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had "seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport and was transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her onward travel to Japan."
The spokesperson reiterated India's consistent position on Arunachal Pradesh, saying, "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality."
The traveller, an Indian passport holder from Arunachal Pradesh, was reportedly detained in transit despite being eligible for visa-free passage, a facility offered to nationals of all countries for up to 24 hours under Chinese regulations. India said the incident not only lacked justification but also breached norms governing international movement.
Meanwhile, China on Tuesday rejected allegations of harassment levelled by Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, and stated that "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her".
Wangjom Thongdok had narrated her "long ordeal" and stated that she faced harassment from Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport, who "mocked and raised questions" over her Indian citizenship and noted that her 18-hour ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India's missions in Shanghai and Beijing.
"When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, 'Arunachal is not part of India' and started mocking and laughing and saying things like 'you should apply for the Chinese passport, you're Chinese, you're not Indian," Thongdok told ANI.