Rahul Gandhi, speaking for 46 minutes, referred to an unpublished book by former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, alleging that four Chinese tanks had reached near the Ladakh border. His remarks led to repeated interruptions from senior ministers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interrupted Gandhi 11 times, Home Minister Amit Shah seven times, Minister of State for Defence Anurag Thakur six times, and Kiren Rijiju twice.
During the uproar, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stood up and shouted slogans directly in front of Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh. Banerjee moved to the other side of the House, continuing his protest, prompting repeated calls from Rajnath Singh to return to his seat. Several other TMC MPs joined in the demonstration, escalating the commotion and prompting temporary adjournments.
Speaker Om Birla cautioned Rahul Gandhi under Rule 353 of the Rules of Procedure, stating that allegations against individuals must be submitted in writing before discussion. “You have to agree to this. If you do not, I will not give permission and will call the next speaker,” he warned, adding that in case of refusal, Congress leader Akhilesh Yadav could be called to speak next.
The disruption reflects the ongoing tension in Parliament over national security issues, particularly related to China, and the role of opposition parties in holding the government accountable. Analysts note that citing unpublished military sources has heightened political sensitivities, leading to confrontations between ruling and opposition benches.
This incident comes amid increasing scrutiny of China’s border activities and continued debate on India’s defence preparedness. The Lok Sabha is expected to resume discussions on the matter once formal submissions and written allegations are filed, allowing the House to maintain procedural standards while addressing national security concerns.
