DDLJ Politics: Congress Slams Centre After Supreme Court Rebukes Rahul Gandhi on China Remarks

As the Supreme Court rebuked Rahul Gandhi over his controversial statement on alleged Chinese annexation of Indian territory, the Congress Party went on the offensive—this time with its own version of DDLJ. But not the Bollywood classic—"Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify" is how Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the Modi government’s China policy.

In a blistering attack, Ramesh accused the BJP-led Centre of evading accountability on critical border issues with China and misleading the nation. His comments come amid renewed scrutiny over the handling of the Galwan Valley clash, ongoing LAC tensions, and the October 2024 withdrawal agreement with China.

What Sparked the Row?

On Monday, the Supreme Court questioned Rahul Gandhi’s past statement that “China has annexed over 2,000 sq km of Indian territory,” saying that “a true Indian would not say such a thing.” The court, however, stayed defamation proceedings against him.

But the comment became political fodder, with the BJP calling Rahul a “certified anti-national” and the Congress lashing out in response.

Congress's "DDLJ" Attack: Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, revived the issue of the Galwan clash and broader questions about the Centre’s transparency.

“Since 20 brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan on 15 June 2020, the Modi government has chosen to obfuscate with a policy of DDLJ — Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify,” Ramesh posted on X.

He posed 8 key questions, accusing the government of:

• Contradicting itself on Chinese intrusions,

• Concealing the true terms of the 2024 withdrawal deal,

• And compromising India's sovereignty and military credibility.

he 8 Questions Congress Wants Answered:

1. Why did PM Modi declare “no intrusion” in Ladakh on June 19, 2020, days after the Galwan clash?

2. Does the October 2024 withdrawal agreement truly restore the pre-2020 status quo?

3. Are Indian patrols now restricted by Chinese approval at previously accessible patrolling points?

4. Has the Modi government pursued normalisation with China, even as China allegedly aided Pakistan during Operation Sindoor?

5. Why does India maintain high trade volumes with China, despite border tensions?

6. How does the Centre reconcile military standoffs with continued diplomatic and economic engagement?

7. Has India responded diplomatically to China’s aggression in Arunachal Pradesh?

8. What is the government's position on Lt Gen Rahul R Singh’s July 2025 statement that China provided real-time intel to Pakistan during Sindoor?

Supreme Court vs Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi’s China remarks originally came during a press conference in Rajasthan in 2022, where he questioned the BJP's silence on alleged Chinese land grabs.

“The Indian media will ask about Ashok Gehlot or Sachin Pilot, but not about 2,000 sq km of Indian territory being taken by China,” he had said.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a defamation case against him, questioned the basis of the statement.

“How do you know that China took 2,000 km? If you are a true Indian, you wouldn't say this,” the bench observed.

BJP Hits Back: “Certified Anti-National”

The BJP went into full attack mode after the Supreme Court’s comment:

• Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, branded Gandhi a “certified anti-national”, accusing him of seeking foreign support during the 2024 elections.

• Malviya claimed that during the Galwan standoff, Gandhi was “briefed by Chinese officials” rather than the Indian government.

• Gaurav Bhatia, BJP spokesperson, said the court’s words cast doubt on Gandhi’s credibility and maturity as a leader.

• Kiren Rijiju, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, re-shared his 2022 Parliament speech where he asserted: “China has not taken an inch of land in Arunachal Pradesh.”

Beyond the Politics: What’s at Stake?

While the BJP is framing the issue as a matter of national honour and military morale, the Congress is trying to make it about transparency, accountability, and territorial sovereignty.

The debate reveals:

• A strategic tightrope the government is walking: balancing diplomacy, trade, and national security.

• A narrative battle as both parties position themselves for upcoming electoral contests, particularly with the scars of Galwan and the threat of Chinese incursions still fresh.

Final Word

In India, where nationalism and defence are deeply emotional issues, political sparring over China is both inevitable and consequential.

The BJP portrays Rahul Gandhi’s statements as anti-national and demoralising. The Congress counters that silence and spin are more dangerous than uncomfortable truths. Either way, DDLJ—Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify—is likely to be one of the more memorable acronyms in India’s political lexicon this year.