New Delhi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in Parliament, calling them a “well-planned conspiracy to defame India” and urging political leaders to speak responsibly on issues of national security.

Rijiju said the Congress party should apologise for the loss of territory to China during its rule in 1959 and 1962, and asserted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, there was no question of even “an inch of India’s border” being compromised.

“This is a well-planned conspiracy to defame India. Leaders should speak responsibly on matters of national security. The Congress party should apologise for the land China occupied during their rule in 1959 and 1962. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, there is no question of even an inch of our border being compromised,” Rijiju said.

Emphasising the gravity of national security, the Union Minister said it should not be politicised or used as a tool to make damaging statements in Parliament.

“National security is extremely important. One should not play with national security by speaking the language of anti-India elements or turn it into a political weapon. All matters related to national interest must be taken seriously,” he added.

Rijiju’s remarks came amid sharp exchanges in the Lok Sabha during the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in the Budget session. The confrontation followed Gandhi’s attempt to quote from a magazine article citing excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General M M Naravane, in reference to the Doklam standoff with China.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) objected to the Leader of Opposition reading from unpublished material. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that content from an unpublished book could not be quoted in the House, an objection upheld by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who ruled that unpublished material could not be read out.

The issue led to repeated disruptions, with opposition members demanding that Gandhi be allowed to speak, while treasury bench members insisted on adherence to parliamentary rules. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav later supported Gandhi, saying issues related to China were sensitive and warranted discussion.

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The standoff continued for nearly 30 minutes, with disruptions from both sides, before proceedings moved ahead amid continued interruptions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also intervened during the exchange as the House remained divided over the issue.