‘True Indian wouldn’t say this’: SC rebukes Rahul Gandhi for claims about China’s border incursions

The Supreme Court on Monday rebuked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about alleged Chinese incursions into Indian territory, saying that a “true Indian” would not make such statements, Live Law reported.

A bench of Justices Dipakar Datta and AG Masih made the comments in the context of his petition seeking that defamation proceedings against him be quashed. The court on Monday went on to stay the proceedings for three weeks.

The bench asked the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha how he had verified claims that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory had been occupied.

“Were you there?” Datta asked, according to Live Law. “Do you have any credible material? Why do you make these statements without any...If you were a true Indian, you would not say all this.”

In response, Gandhi’s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it was also possible for a “true Indian” to say that 20 Indian soldiers were beaten up and killed, and that this was a matter of concern. He was referring to clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers on the night between 15 and 16 June, 2020 in the Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control.

Datta, however, asked why Gandhi made such allegations on social media, instead of raising questions in Parliament, The Hindu reported.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued...

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