Rahul Gandhi has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on Chinese intrusions by insisting that a true patriot will never compromise on India’s territorial integrity, at a time the government is trying to flaunt the sense of patriotism by ensuring that every Indian household hoists the national flag on Independence Day.

Two days before the Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, the Congress leader dared him to explain the reasons for his attitude towards China. “Let the Prime Minister address the nation and explain the reasons. Every citizen will support him, but only if he talks about Bharat Mata’s pride,” Rahul wrote on Facebook on Friday.

Rahul, who has been constantly attacking Modi for his silence and inaction on the Chinese incursions, said: “How will the Prime Minister who allows trading of the Tricolour with China see the Chinese intrusions? A true patriot is he who won’t tolerate any threat to the country’s sovereignty. A true lover of the country will fight for every inch of our territory. A true servant of the country is he who is dedicated to protection of the motherland’s glory and dignity.”

There have been reports of India importing polyester Tricolours from China in large quantities ahead of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

Considering Modi has built his image pivoting on robust nationalism, the main Opposition leader questioning his commitment to the protection of India’s interests just before the much-hyped celebration of the 75th Independence Day is bound to touch a raw nerve.

Rahul rubbed the message in: “China has dared to encroach on our borders. The Prime Minister, who threatened to show ‘red eyes’ to the Chinese before coming to power, has bowed his head before China for the last eight years. The Prime Minister can’t even name China.”

After the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in which 20 Indian soldiers died, Modi had claimed that none had entered the country’s territory forcibly or taken over any posts, allowing the Chinese to claim ownership of encroached territory.

Rahul probed further: “What could be the reason for the Prime Minister elected by the people to maintain silence on China instead of keeping the people’s interests at the top? What is the reason that compelled Modi to abandon khadi — the pride of the nation — and import polyester from China for the Tiranga? What is the reason that imports from China have increased at a time when Chinese intrusions, too, have increased?”

Modi hasn’t spoken about the Chinese incursions directly, nor has he even uttered the name of the neighbouring country in public since the tensions escalated.

The government of India, at the levels of the external affairs and defence ministries, has engaged with China for de-escalation but Modi is yet to alter the stand he had taken regarding intrusions.

The Congress has time and again demanded that the Chinese encroachments be debated in Parliament but has been thwarted.