The Congress on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the Chinese constructing 200 shelters in Indian territory in eastern Ladakh, demanding a debate on incursions in Parliament in the session beginning December 7.

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh expressed surprise that the government hasn’t allowed a debate on this subject for 22 months even as high-level negotiations are happening on border issues with China. Ramesh recalled that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had answered questions in Parliament after a debate even during the Chinese aggression in 1962.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said at a media conference on Saturday: “On November 15, Modi met Xi Jinping, the Chinese head of state — no, not showing red eyes — but wearing a red kurta. Exactly 18 days later, we are now being told that in the area of Depsang, China has built new permanent shelters. These temperature-regulated shelters help any army personnel to be stationed permanently at any place. Two-hundred such shelters have been built by China in our territory, 15-18km inside the LAC.”

Shrinate added: “Why is the Prime Minister looking in the other direction when permanent shelters, permanent fortifications are being built by China in the Depsang and the Demchok area? What steps are being taken to remove these structures and fortifications? What steps are being taken to push away the Chinese from the Depsang and Demchock area?

“And more importantly, what is nationalism? You are so eager to issue certificates of nationalism to anybody that you want to. Is nationalism looking the other way and keeping your eyes shut and meeting the Chinese President with your open arms after 20 of your bravehearts have died (in the Galwan Valley clash)?”