After SC rebuke, Rahul must stop China claims

The government on Monday said the Supreme Courts rebuke to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over making unsubstantiated claims of Chinese occupation of Indian territory is timely and should now dissuade him from acting against the interests of the nation.

"The Supreme Court has asked a very pertinent question whether an Indian can make such claims. Now at least Rahul Gandhi should not act in a manner that can demoralise our forces," parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the media.

The court was referring to the congress leader's statement that as much as 2,000 square km of Indian territory is under Chinese occupation.

The minster said there could be three sources of information for Rahul Gandhi's claims. "The government or armed forces provide authorised information. Maybe he got it from the Chinese side or it is self-created," said the minister, adding that the MP should provide the basis of his statements.

"He does not listen to us. The defence ministry, armed forces and government have repeatedly refuted these claims," Rijiju said. He asserted that despite a border dispute and occasional clashes no land had been ceded.