Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday expressed concern about India’s borders and questioned the government’s stand on territorial integrity. He accused the BJP government of relying on propaganda, saying it has led to the reduction of India’s territory.
The allegations come after Chinese authorities allegedly detained a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at the Shanghai airport and claimed that “Arunachal is not a part of India.” Akhilesh Yadav said, “This question has been asked many times that the Indian government should disclose the original and present areas of its country. What we are seeing during the BJP government is the continuous shrinking of our borders. They are heavily dependent on propaganda and lies. Despite this, it seems that their Under the leadership our borders and land are shrinking.”
He urged vigilance against countries encroaching on Indian territory and stressed the need for national security and territorial protection. He said, “Moreover, China is hindering our country’s progress and prosperity. We must remain vigilant against countries that repeatedly encroach on our territory.”
Meanwhile, India strongly refuted China’s comments on the situation in Arunachal Pradesh. It expressed grave concern over the “arbitrary detention” of Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian national, at Shanghai International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs said the matter has been taken up at the highest level with Chinese authorities, and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh remains an “integral and inseparable” part of India.
Responding to media queries, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has noted the statements made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding Arunachal Pradesh’s arbitrary detention of an Indian national who had a valid passport and was transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her onward journey to Japan.
Reiterating India’s steadfast position on Arunachal Pradesh, the spokesperson said, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India and this is a self-evident fact. No denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality.” India said that this incident not only has no justification but is also a violation of international movement norms.
Meanwhile, China on Tuesday rejected allegations of harassment made by Arunachal Pradesh-based Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok and said “the legitimate rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no coercive measures were taken against her.”
Wangjom Thongdok had narrated his “long ordeal” and said he was harassed by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong airport, who “mocked and questioned” his Indian citizenship and said his 18-hour ordeal ended with the help of officials from India’s missions in Shanghai and Beijing.
“When I tried to question him and ask what the matter was, he said, ‘Arunachal is not a part of India’ and started making fun of me and laughing and saying, ‘You should apply for a Chinese passport, you are Chinese, you are not an Indian,'” Thongdok told ANI.