The lok sabha witnessed an uncomfortable and dramatic moment on wednesday when congress leader rahul gandhi rose to speak on national security, only to find members of his own party laughing — prompting a sharp intervention from the Speaker.
As rahul gandhi began his speech, some congress MPs were seen laughing, forcing Speaker om birla to ask:
“Why are congress MPs laughing? Why are you laughing at your own leader?”
The remark immediately drew attention across the house and set the tone for what would soon turn into a controversy.
The Claim That Sparked the Row
During his speech, rahul gandhi waved a paper and made a serious allegation, stating that:
“During the Doklam conflict, four Chinese tanks climbed Mount Kailash.”
Given the sensitivity of the issue, the government sought clarification on the source of this information.
Rahul gandhi responded that the claim was mentioned in a book written by former army Chief General Manoj Naravane.
A Book That Hasn’t Been Published
The government quickly pointed out a glaring inconsistency:
General Naravane’s book has not yet been published.
When asked how rahul gandhi accessed information from a book that has not been printed or released, he failed to provide a clear answer.
Changing Versions and Growing Confusion
Following this, the congress party attempted to clarify that the information had actually been sourced from a magazine article, not a book.
This led Speaker om birla to raise a critical question:
“If the information is from a magazine, why is it being attributed to General Naravane?”
The contradiction further intensified the debate inside the House.
Government’s Clarification
Home minister Amit Shah intervened to explain the matter, stating that:
The claim originated from an article published in a magazine linked to an NGO
The article was not authored by General Naravane
His name was being incorrectly used to lend credibility
False attribution and misleading statements were being made in Parliament
The government accused the congress leader of misrepresenting sources and spreading unverified information on a matter as sensitive as national security.
Concerns Over National Security Discourse
The episode raised serious concerns about the handling of national security discussions in Parliament. government members argued that:
Making unverified claims on military matters can mislead the public
Incorrectly attributing information to senior army officials undermines institutions
Parliament must not become a platform for speculation and misinformation
They maintained that such statements could create unnecessary fear and damage India’s credibility.
Political Fallout
The incident once again put rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary conduct under scrutiny. Critics argued that frequent factual inconsistencies weaken the Opposition’s ability to hold the government accountable on genuine issues.
The moment when his own party MPs laughed was seen by many as symbolic of the growing internal discomfort within the congress ranks.
Conclusion
National security remains one of the most serious subjects debated in Parliament. Allegations related to military movements and border conflicts demand verified sources, precise attribution, and responsible articulation.
The controversy surrounding rahul Gandhi’s statement has reignited debate over whether political messaging is being prioritised over factual accuracy — a question that continues to echo both inside and outside the Lok Sabha.
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