Don't Need Any Proof, Says Rahul Gandhi As Digvijaya Singh's 'Surgical Strike' Remark Draws Flak

Rahul Gandhi has said the Congress does not need any proof from the armed forces after the remark of senior leader Digvijaya Singh stoked controversy.

Rahul Gandhi has said the Congress does not need any proof from the armed forces after the remark of senior leader Digvijaya Singh on the surgical strike stoked controversy.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had questioned the surgical strike that happened in 2016 after the Uri attack and accused the Centre of spreading lies.

While speaking in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that the Centre talks about surgical strikes and claim to have killed many but to date, there is no proof of it.

"They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that they have killed so many of them but there is no proof," ANI quoted the former MP CM as saying.

The Congress has also distanced itself from Singh's remarks saying his views were personal and didn't reflect the party's stance. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "The views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress. Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by the UPA government. Congress has supported & will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also attacked the Congress saying, “The DNA of Congress is pro-Pakistan,” a day after Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioned the surgical strikes and accused the Centre of peddling lies. Further targeting the Congress, Chouhan said they are committing the "sin" of lowering the morale of the armed forces.

Chouhan said, “The DNA of Congress is Pakistan-parast (pro-Pakistan). Sometimes they ask for a proof of surgical strike. At times they ask for a proof of Lord Ram's existence, the evidence of Ram Setu." Chouhan said Digvijaya Singh while walking along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked for a proof of surgical strike.

“They are committing the sin of lowering the morale of the armed forces. This shows they are standing with Pakistan,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.

Seeking a reply from Rahul Gandhi on Digvijaya Singh's remarks, Chouhan said, “What kind of Bharat Jodo Yatra is this? The Tukde-Tukde gang is marching with you. The morale of the armed forces is being lowered. Rahul Gandhi is also raising questions on the armed forces. This is not patriotism.” Chouhan claimed Madhya Pradesh was the "stronghold" of the banned outfit Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) when Digvijaya Singh was state's chief minister.

“At least the Congress should not commit the sin and crime of lowering the morale of the Army,” he said.