'Discuss security, not uniforms'. Rahul walks out of Parl panel meeting

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (December 16) walked out of a parliamentary panel meeting on defence, peeved over the committee’s discussion on the uniform of the armed forces instead of key issues pertaining to national security.

Congress leaders, Rajeev Satav and Revanth Reddy also left the meeting with Rahul.

Also read: Gen Rawat wades into debate on aircraft carrier or submarine for Navy

Rahul said committee chairman and BJP MP Jual Oram didn’t allow him or his colleagues to speak.

At the meeting he said, the political leadership should discuss issues of national security and how to better equip the forces that are fighting the Chinese in Ladakh, instead of wasting time in talking about uniforms.

Also read: Rahul seeks deadline on ‘throwing Chinese out of Indian territory’ from Modi

The argument took place when former Lt General and BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Devender Paul Vats raised the issue of uniform change in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat also made a presentation showing the uniforms of the different military branches of the United States and other countries, which can easily differentiate ranks.

Rahul interjected, saying that the uniform of the armed forces need not be decided by politicians and can be chosen by senior defence officers.