New Delhi [India], August 5 : Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Indian Army, asserting that no one can make false statements against the country and expect to go unchallenged.
Speaking to the media, Rijiju emphasised that the judiciary will not remain silent on such matters.
"The false statements made by Rahul Gandhi regarding our security and territorial integrity have shown that our judiciary and the Supreme Court will not remain silent on such matters. This is a lesson for everyone. Thinking that you can say anything and get away with it is wrong. The directive given by the Supreme Court to Rahul Gandhi serves as a reminder to all that, as an Indian citizen, you cannot make statements against the country," the Union Minister said.
Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court pulled up Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged remarks on the Indian Army after a clash between the Indian and Chinese armies in the Yangsi region of Arunachal Pradesh in 2022.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih expressed disapproval of Gandhi's remarks, saying How does he know the Chinese occupied 2000 square kilometres of land and said that a true Indian wouldn't say such a thing.
Justice Datta said, "How do you get to know that 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory was occupied by China? What is the credible material? If you are a true indian, you would not say this. When there is a conflict across borders... can you say all this?"
The Congress leader had made the remarks on December 16, 2022, during his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.
Gandhi had said, "People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra, here and there, Ashok Gahlot and Sachin Pilot and whatnot. But they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, "killing 20 Indian soldiers" and "thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh".
"But the Indian press doesn't ask a question to them about this. Isn't it true? The nation is watching all this. Don't pretend that people don't know," he added.
Earlier today, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra backed the Lok Sabha LoP that it is a "misinterpretation" as her brother holds the Army in the highest respect.
"...They do not decide who a true Indian is. It is the job of the Opposition Leader, it is his duty to ask questions to challenge the Government. My brother would never say anything against the Army. He holds the Army in the highest respect. So, it is a misinterpretation," Priyanka said.