A heated debate erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday after Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi made critical remarks about China’s industrial dominance and the alleged failures of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. His comments sparked strong backlash from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, and other ruling party leaders.
Kiren Rijiju Demands Apology from Rahul Gandhi
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of speaking more favorably about China than a Chinese government spokesperson and demanded an apology. He also suggested that Rahul Gandhi take responsibility for the land China took from India during the 1959 and 1962 conflicts, when Jawaharlal Nehru (his grandfather) was Prime Minister.
Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha:
“The Speaker asked him four times to authenticate his claims, yet he made statements without any proof and left the House. If we take Rahul Gandhi’s statement lightly, then in the future, any LoP could come and say whatever they feel like and leave. He should authenticate what he said, or the Chair should take action.”
He further added:
“Today, the LoP praised China more than a Chinese spokesperson. Rahul Gandhi should apologize for all the land China took away in 1959 and 1962 because his grandfather Nehru was PM then.”
BJP’s Nishikant Dubey Calls Gandhi a ‘China Representative’
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also slammed Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of:
- Spreading misinformation about India’s economy and manufacturing sector.
- Conspiring to divide the country with foreign influence.
- Misrepresenting trade policies under UPA rule, which he said had benefited China at India’s expense.
Dubey alleged that the Congress-led UPA government signed a trade agreement that granted zero percent duty on Chinese products such as toys, gadgets, and accessories, weakening India’s domestic industries.
“During P. Chidambaram’s tenure as Commerce Minister, India had initially signed ITA 1 with only 14 countries, excluding China. However, under EU pressure, the then government signed an agreement allowing China duty-free exports, which harmed India’s manufacturing sector.”
He credited the Narendra Modi government for not joining ITA 2 and instead focusing on ‘Make in India’ to reduce dependence on Chinese imports.
Dubey also challenged Rahul Gandhi to prove his claims that the Modi government had failed to boost India’s manufacturing sector.
“If you cannot authenticate your statements, then apologize to the country for the lies you’ve spread and the harm you’ve caused to the nation’s credibility,” Dubey said.
Rahul Gandhi’s Speech on India-China Competition
During his speech, Rahul Gandhi argued that:
- The ‘Make in India’ initiative had failed to boost domestic manufacturing.
- The manufacturing sector’s GDP share declined from 15.3% in 2014 to 12.6%, the lowest in 60 years.
- China has a 10-year lead in key industries like batteries, robotics, motors, and optics, but India could still catch up with the right policies.
- India’s economic security is at risk due to dependency on Chinese imports.
“Although China is 10 years ahead, we can catch up with the right vision. An INDIA government would realign education, enlist experts, widely spread finance, and align trade and foreign policies,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He also pushed for a caste census and suggested using AI for better policymaking.
Gandhi’s Remarks on China’s Presence in Indian Territory
Rahul Gandhi further alleged that:
- China has occupied Indian territory, contradicting PM Modi’s statements.
- The Indian Army keeps negotiating with China on border issues, which wouldn’t happen if China hadn’t entered Indian land.
- Wars are now fought between industrial systems, not just armies, and India must strengthen its manufacturing base to defend itself.
His remarks angered BJP leaders, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding he substantiate his claims.
Congress vs BJP: The Political Fallout
This latest exchange highlights deepening tensions between the BJP and Congress ahead of the upcoming elections.
- BJP leaders are using Rahul Gandhi’s comments to paint him as pro-China and anti-national.
- Congress is positioning itself as pro-industry and claims to have a better economic vision than the Modi government.
With elections approaching, the political battle over India’s economy, security, and foreign policy is set to intensify.