Having been schooled by Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar on Twitter for his childish and misinformed insinuations about the series of events which led to the martyrdom of 20 Indian Army soldiers, Rahul Gandhi, during the All-Party Meet, was also given a lesson on the same by none other than Sharad Pawar. While it is amply clear that the Congress, and particularly Rahul Gandhi, are shamelessly politicizing the unfortunate death of Indian Army personnel in Galwan valley, seasoned politicians even from the opposition camp have had just about enough of the dynast’s theatrics.
Sharad Pawar, during the All Party Meeting on Friday, said, “The issue of whether soldiers carried arms or not are decided by international agreements and we need to respect such sensitive matters.” This particular statement by the NCP supremo came after Rahul Gandhi had insinuated that Indian Army personnel had been sent off on patrolling without firearms, and that they were unarmed soldiers who had been pushed into the mouth of martyrdom.
All-party meeting with PM over India-China border issues: NCP Chief and Former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar said that issues of whether soldiers carried arms or not are decided by international agreements and we need to respect such sensitive matters (Source) pic.twitter.com/qdQIzu3C5z
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2020
The Congress dynast had on Friday tweeted a video, with the caption, “How dare China kill our UNARMED soldiers? Why were our soldiers sent UNARMED to martyrdom?”
How dare China kill our UNARMED soldiers?
Why were our soldiers sent UNARMED to martyrdom?pic.twitter.com/umIY5oERoV
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 18, 2020
Dr. S Jaishankar had then rebuked Rahul for getting the facts wrong, and drawing misinformed conclusions. While quoting Gandhi’s tweet, Jaishankar said, “Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs.”
Let us get the facts straight.
All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs. https://t.co/VrAq0LmADp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) June 18, 2020
As a matter of fact, Sharad Pawar has served as the country’s Defence Minister, and definitely knows about the various agreements between India and China, one of which is the agreement signed in 1996, a section of which reads, “Neither side shall open fire, cause bio-degradation, use hazardous chemicals, conduct blast operations or hunt with guns or explosives within two kilometers from the line of actual control. This prohibition shall not apply to routine firing activities in small arms firing ranges.” It is this agreement which prevented India from making use of firearms, even during the 15 June clash.
In fact, Sharad Pawar, as Defence Minister, had himself signed the 1993 Peace and Tranquillity Agreement with the Chinese side.
However, the rules of engagement have now been changed at the LAC, and local commanders have reportedly been given absolute freedom to make use of all means necessary to defend themselves, and their nation’s sovereignty, which includes usage of firearms in extraordinary situations.
Rahul Gandhi, being the habitual and compulsively clueless person that he is, we think, was not aware of any agreements which China has with India, until Sharad Pawar and Dr. S Jaishankar took it upon themselves to school the recently turned 50-year old man. Pawar was absolutely clear in his stance, despite being the Congress’ ally in Maharashtra. The usage of firearms along the LAC is prohibited by bilateral agreements, and Rahul Gandhi has no authority to comment on the same while knowing absolutely nothing on the subject.
