Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday wondered how China felt so emboldened to continually attack India and castigated the Narendra Modi government for continuing its divisive politics instead of forging a collective national resolve to effectively counter the external threat.

Addressing a meeting of the Congress parliamentary party in the capacity of its chairperson, Sonia said: “The continuing incursions by China on our border is a matter of serious concern.”

Sonia added: “The whole nation stands with our vigilant soldiers who repelled these attacks under difficult conditions. The government, however, stubbornly refuses to allow a discussion on the issue in Parliament.

“When facing a significant national challenge, it has been the tradition in our country to bring Parliament into confidence. A debate can shed light on several critical questions. Why is China emboldened to continually attack us? What preparations have been made to repel these attacks, and what more needs to be done? What is the government’s policy to deter China from future incursions?”

Pointing to the government’s inability to take firm steps to counter China through business, she said: “Given that we continue to have a severe trade deficit with China, importing far more than we export, why is there no economic response to China’s military hostility? What is the government’s diplomatic outreach to the global community? A frank discussion strengthens the nation’s response. It is the duty of the government of the day to inform the public and explain its policies and actions.”

The Congress has pointed out that Jawaharlal Nehru allowed debate in Parliament even in the midst of war in 1962 and patiently heard MPs cutting across party lines attack his government. Sonia argued that “this refusal to allow a parliamentary debate on such a matter of grave national concern shows disrespect for our democracy, and reflects poorly on the government’s intentions. It demonstrates its inability to bring the nation together.”

She added: “On the contrary, by following divisive policies, by spreading hatred and targeting some sections of our society, the government makes it harder for the country to stand up as one against foreign threats. Such divisions weaken us and make us more vulnerable. At times like this, it must be the government’s endeavour and responsibility to unite our people, not divide them as it has been doing these past several years.”

“Unfortunately, silence on matters of serious concern has become the defining feature of this government’s tenure. While blocking debate, the government is also actively engaged in targeting the Opposition and any questioning voices, manipulating the media and undermining the institutions which stand in their way. This is happening not only in the Centre, but also in every state where the ruling party governs,” she said.

The former Congress president dwelt on other national issues, including the abnormal pressures being mounted on the judiciary. “A troubling new development is the calculated attempt underway to delegitimise the judiciary. Ministers — and even a high constitutional authority — have been enlisted to make speeches attacking the judiciary on various grounds. It is quite clear that this is not an effort to provide reasonable suggestions for improvement. Rather, it is an effort to reduce the standing of the judiciary in the eyes of the public.”

Describing the economic situation as “distressing”, she pointed to the rise in the prices of daily commodities placing a heavy burden on crores of households.

“The inability to provide jobs, especially for the youth, has been a feature of this government’s tenure. Even as the Prime Minister hands over appointment letters for a few thousand, crores more face an uncertain future with government vacancies unfilled, exams unreliable and PSUs being privatised. Small businesses, which generate the bulk of employment in the country, are still struggling to survive after the repeated blows of demonetisation, a poorly implemented GST and a mismanaged response to the Covid pandemic.”

Thanking Rahul Gandhi and other party workers for the “courage and determination” for undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Sonia said: “It is a matter of pride. It is a unique outreach that seeks to take the message of the Congress party directly to the people and, in return gain a firsthand understanding of their problems and aspirations. In the south and in the north; in cities, towns and villages; in the cold, rain and heat; lakhs of men, women and children have joined the Yatra. I thank every Indian who has supported the Yatra and its message of fraternity and equality.”

She argued that the response to the Yatra clearly shows that most Indians desire peace, harmony and social and economic equality. “I hope that we can build on the energy and momentum of the Yatra, to ensure that we continue dialogue with people. The Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyan has already been announced. I hope that we, as Congressmen and women, will join in the andolan and other campaigns and fulfil our responsibility to the people of India,” she added.