Launching a scathing attack on the Centre over its handling of the border situation with China, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused the government of following a “DDLJ” policy — “Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify”.
Raising a series of pointed questions, Ramesh alleged that the government’s approach is aimed at evading accountability and avoiding scrutiny.
“Ever since 20 brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan on 15 June 2020, every patriotic Indian has sought answers to the following questions. Yet instead of providing answers, the Modi government for the past five years has chosen to obfuscate and hide the truth with its policy of DDLJ – Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify,” he wrote.
The remarks came after the for his claim that China had annexed over 2,000 kilometres of Indian territory, prompting a sharp attack from BJP leaders.
Jairam Ramesh posted eight pointed questions to the BJP government, highlighting alleged contradictions between the PM’s 2020 statement denying any intrusion and subsequent military and diplomatic actions acknowledging territorial concerns in eastern Ladakh. The questions also flag India’s continued economic dependence on China despite ongoing border tensions and Beijing’s alleged support to Pakistan’s military during Operation Sindoor.
“Why did the Prime Minister give a clean chit to China saying ‘Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai’ (Neither has anyone intruded into our territory, nor is anyone inside it) on 19 June 2020, only four days after our soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives for the country in Galwan?,” Ramesh asked.
He asked whether the withdrawal agreement signed on October 21, 2024, truly restores the status quo of April 2020, as stated by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. The Congress leader further sought clarity on whether Indian patrols now require Chinese concurrence to access Patrolling Points along the border areas they previously accessed freely under India’s territorial rights.
Ramesh also pointed out reports from 2020 that claimed around 1,000 square kilometres of land in eastern Ladakh, including 900 square kilometres in Depsang, had come under Chinese control, and sought accountability for the same.
Further attacking the government, he asked, “Is it not true that the Modi government is pursuing ‘normalisation’ with a country that played a crucial role in Pakistan’s military operations during Operation Sindoor, supplying weapons systems such as the J-10C fighter and PL-15 air-to-air missile and providing “live inputs” into Indian military operations as stated on 4 July 2025; by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt General Rahul R Singh?”.
SUPREME COURT REBUKES RAHUL GANDHI
Earlier today, the Supreme Court slammed Rahul Gandhi for claiming that China had annexed over 2,000 kilometres of Indian territory, observing that a “true Indian” would not make such a remark. However, it stayed the defamation proceedings filed against him over the statement.
“How did you know about 2,000 km being annexed by the Chinese? If you’re a true Indian, you wouldn’t say it,” the court asked while hearing a defamation petition over his remarks.
At a press conference in Rajasthan in 2022, Gandhi questioned the BJP’s silence on China’s alleged capture of 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory and its aggression against the Indian Army.
“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 2000 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,” Gandhi had said.
BJP’S ‘ANTI-NATIONAL’ DIG AT RAHUL GANDHI
The BJP swiftly launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress following the Supreme Court’s remarks, branding the MP a ‘certified anti-national’.
BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that the court’s remarks “raises a question about the credibility of Rahul Gandhi”.
“When our army showed its bravery and pushes back the Chinese army, Rahul Gandhi said that the Chinese army captured 2,000 sq km of the Indian territory, killing 20 Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh… The Supreme Court made a statement on his remark. They said that if you are a true Indian, then you wouldn’t say this… This raises a question about the credibility of Rahul Gandhi. How mature is he as the leader of the Congress Party?,” he asked.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya calle the Congess leader “certified anti-national” and claimed Gandhi sought foreign support during 2024 elections.
“During the Galwan face-off, when India was defending its sovereignty, Rahul Gandhi chose to receive a briefing from Chinese officials instead of Indian diplomats. He routinely makes baseless and demoralising remarks about the Indian Army-statements that are amplified by adversaries,” Malvya said.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh, reshared his earlier speech in Parliament, where the BJP leader had called Gandhi’s comments a “false narrative” and asserted that “China has not taken even an inch of land in Arunachal Pradesh”.