Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 26: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged Chinese incursions along the Arunachal Pradesh border, citing claims attributed to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujit Singh Kapoor.
In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction alleged that the disclosures had raised serious questions about the government’s handling of national security and its efforts to keep sensitive developments away from public scrutiny.
The editorial claimed that Kapoor had revealed that Chinese troops crossed the Arunachal Pradesh border and penetrated six to seven kilometres into Indian territory in the Asafila area, where they allegedly established military camps.
It further claimed that armed clashes between Indian and Chinese forces had been continuing along the border for the past four months. Referring to the growing use of drones in modern warfare, the editorial also asserted that China enjoys a technological advantage over India. It alleged that the official video of Kapoor’s speech was subsequently removed from the government website, raising questions about transparency.
The Thackeray faction accused the Modi government of attempting to suppress information about Chinese aggression and targeting those who raised concerns over border security.
The editorial recalled that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had warned about alleged Chinese encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh a year earlier. It claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had dismissed his statements as false propaganda.
It also alleged that accounts shared by tribal communities in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh and young people who posted social media videos about the alleged intrusions had been dismissed as enemy propaganda.
The editorial also referred to former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s autobiography, Four Stars of Destiny, claiming that the book faced government censorship because it dealt with the 2020 Ladakh-Galwan clashes and the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
According to the editorial, the book recounts that on the night of August 31, 2020, when Chinese tanks were advancing, Naravane sought clear operational instructions from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. After consulting the Prime Minister, Singh allegedly responded, “Do whatever you think is appropriate,” leaving the Army chief with what the editorial described as a difficult “hot potato” responsibility.
The Thackeray-led party also cited environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging that he was branded a traitor for drawing attention to Chinese intrusions in Ladakh. It warned that the ITBP chief could face similar criticism for speaking about the border situation.
Drawing a contrast between developments along the border and diplomatic engagements in the capital, the editorial questioned the government’s approach to China. It alleged that while Indian soldiers were engaged in clashes with Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi was hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Delhi.
The editorial described the alleged simultaneous developments as an insult to the sacrifices of frontline soldiers, accusing the ruling leadership of using the armed forces for political advantage during crises and subsequently failing to support them adequately.
It also criticised the Prime Minister over security incidents, including the Pulwama attack, the Pahalgam massacre and the alleged Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding greater accountability from the country's leadership.
The editorial concluded that any leadership failing to protect the country's territorial integrity must face democratic scrutiny and accountability.