Drama unfolded in India’s lower house as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi locked horns with Speaker Om Birla, steadfastly raising Ladakh border violations despite source verification mandates. Referencing Gen MM Naravane’s alleged suppressed memoir, Gandhi detailed tank movements by Chinese forces.
During the Presidential address debate, he articulated: ‘Picture a border under siege—foreign armies pushing in, four tanks rolling through Kailash.’ Treasury benches erupted, halting the session with accusations of rule-breaking.
Defense chief Rajnath Singh questioned the narrative’s basis: ‘True content wouldn’t stay unpublished; legal channels existed for Naravane.’ Gandhi pivoted to magazine excerpts but yielded on direct quotes following Birla’s ruling.
Besieged by interruptions, Gandhi implored: ‘Speaker sir, dictate my words.’ Birla reaffirmed procedural integrity, guiding all members alike. Rijiju highlighted Gandhi’s norm defiance, advocating structured discourse.
Pressing further, Gandhi interrogated bans on border talks: ‘Is India-China off-limits by rule?’ Birla clarified agenda boundaries, absent explicit mentions in the address. Gandhi probed links to international affairs.
Birla urged Gandhi to uphold LoP responsibilities befitting constructive debate. The skirmish spotlights entrenched divides on national defense transparency, with Gandhi’s rhetoric casting shadows on official border accounts. It signals escalating opposition scrutiny, potentially reshaping future security discussions in Parliament.