Sena’s Raut challenges PM Modi on whether he has the guts to do a surgical strike on China

Mumbai: Amid China's release of the controversial 2023 edition of the 'standard map,' now encompassing territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the disputed South China Sea, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has posed a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning whether he possesses the courage to conduct a surgical strike on China in response to the map release.

Raut's comments come in the wake of the recent map update by China. He criticized Modi's participation in the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit, where he engaged with Chinese officials in a seemingly friendly manner.

Raut accused the government of downplaying the severity of the situation, echoing Rahul Gandhi's assertion that China had intruded into Indian territory.

He highlighted the apprehension that during the upcoming inauguration of the Ram temple, there could be incidents of stone pelting, bomb attacks, and orchestrated riots. Raut attributed these concerns to a potential strategy to sway the upcoming elections.

Raut's statements have struck a chord with other political figures who share similar fears, citing the recent turmoil in Haryana as a reminder of how pre-election tensions can escalate into violent clashes.

With the spectre of riots looming, Raut emphasized the need for transparency and accountability from the government. He urged the authorities to take preventive measures to avoid any situation that could jeopardize the country's peace and security.