Reports of a brawl between Indian and Chinese forces near Sikkim over the weekend have provoked outrage among politicians.
News agencies reported Indian and Chinese forces engaged in a brawl along the Line of Actual Control near Naku La in Sikkim, resulting in injuries to personnel on both sides. Media reports said the brawl erupted after Indian forces had stopped a PLA patrol party. The ministry of defence released a statement around 12pm on Monday, saying there was a "minor faceoff" in Sikkim, which was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols.
Congress leaders were quick to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at Modi’s projection of himself as being a decisive leader, who once boasted of having a 56-inch chest.
Rahul tweeted, "China is expanding its occupation into Indian territory. Mr 56” hasn’t said the word ‘China’ for months." Maybe he can start by saying the word ‘China’." Rahul has repeatedly criticised Modi for his perceived unwillingness to name China over the border standoff at Ladakh.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala shared a news article on the Sikkim border incident. Surjewala alleged that the "secretive silence" of Modi on Chinese incursions had "emboldened the enemy".
Surjewala declared, "Do not be afraid of China; the whole country will fight strongly... Explain clearly what is the situation. National security is not a game of hide and seek, the situation is grave. Take the country in confidence."
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy tweeted the incident at Sikkim was "no surprise". Swamy has been a critic of the Modi government's handling of the standoff at Ladakh. Swamy alluded to a statement by Modi after the Galwan valley clash in June last year that there had been no incursions.
Swamy tweeted, "Koi aaya nahin koi Gaya nahin. Chinese are today sacred cows according to MEA. The MEA is only interested in dis-engagement after Sikkim is swallowed."
