NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Congress party criticized the Central Government on Wednesday, claiming it has compromised national security for the advantage of wealthy private individuals, following reports that border security regulations were eased for a business entity to establish an energy park.
In response to media claims that the government relaxed national security measures along the Pakistan border to facilitate the Adani Group’s renewable energy park in Gujarat, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) facade of pseudo-nationalism has been exposed once again.
The Adani Group has yet to address these allegations.
“Narendra Modiji, you have put national security at risk near our borders to favor private billionaires,” Kharge stated in a post on X.
“Is it accurate that you have granted significant strategic land, just 1 km from the International Border with Pakistan, to your ‘dear friend’ by loosening border security restrictions?” he questioned the Prime Minister.
“Is it not true that your government has eased such rules not only at the India-Pakistan border but also near Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, and Nepal, thus endangering our strategic and border security?” Kharge inquired.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s assertion regarding the Sino-India border conflict that “no one entered our territory,” when 20 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in Ladakh, the Congress leader alleged that the concerns of the Army have been disregarded in this instance.
“‘What happens if there’s a need for laying mines or implementing anti-tank and anti-personnel measures? What about the concepts of space and surprise in both offensive and defensive operations?’, a senior Army officer posed. We echo this question,” Kharge remarked.
“Why would you permit a large private project to be established within striking distance of the India-Pakistan border, increasing the defense obligations of our armed forces and diminishing their strategic advantages?” he questioned.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister and Defense Minister regarding the rationale behind such a significant decision that compromises national security.
“Are we making our energy infrastructure vulnerable against potential adversaries? Are military experts, who have devoted decades to safeguarding our country, merely puppets who can be overlooked?
“The Modi government’s favoritism poses a threat to our national security. The construction of India’s largest solar project merely 1 km from the Pakistan border is perilous and contradicts established military practices,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X.
In a Hindi post on X, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned, “Has the process of handing over all national resources to the Prime Minister’s ‘friend’ progressed to a point where even border security regulations are being altered?”
She claimed that, according to news reports, India’s border security protocols were modified to accommodate the Adani Group’s energy park.
Referring to reports that indicated concerns from senior Army officials about impediments to border security and surveillance efforts were being ignored, Priyanka Gandhi asserted, “The security obligations of the Army are being complicated to provide cheap land and business advantages to the Prime Minister’s friend.”
“Is one individual’s business interest more important than national security?” she questioned. (Agencies)
