‘Why Keep Lying?’ Kiren Rijiju To Rahul Gandhi Over 'IAF's Hands Tied' Remark

Last Updated:August 10, 2025, 17:51 IST

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticiced Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Indian Air Force, accusing him of lying. IAF Chief refuted Gandhi's claims, stating they had full freedom

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “lying" and “damaging India’s high reputation" over his remarks regarding the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Operation Sindoor in the Parliament.

His response came after IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh rubbished the claims levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that the government had instructed the IAF not to target Pakistan’s air defence systems. The Air Marshal had said that they had “full freedom" to plan and execute attacks on Pakistan.

Sharing a video of Gandhi’s statement alongside Singh’s comments, Rijiju said on X, “Why do you keep lying all the time?… You have not only lowered your stature but damaged India’s high reputation."

“I request Rahul Gandhi ji to maintain the decorum of India’s Parliament. Why do you keep lying all the time? I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged India’s high reputation!" he said in another post on X.

What Rahul Gandhi Said?

While participating in the debate over Operation Sindoor in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the government had instructed the IAF not to target Pakistan’s air defence systems during the operation, effectively limiting their capability.

He had said the hands of the IAF were “tied" by the government during Operation Sindoor.

“You went into Pakistan, you attacked Pakistan, and you told our pilots do not attack their air defence systems, meaning you told our pilots go and attack and face the air defence systems of Pakistan. Meaning, you tied their hands behind their backs," Gandhi had said.

IAF Chief’s Rebuttal

These claims were rubbished by the IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, who said on Saturday that the government had put no restrictions on them during the operation and they had “full freedom" to plan and execute attacks on Pakistan.

Addressing an event in Bengaluru, Singh credited “very clear political will" as a key factor in the operation’s success.

“There was very clear political will, very clear directions were given to us and there were no kind of restrictions which were put on us," he had said.

“Many people have spoken somewhere unfortunately, every one is speaking about it…there were talks about was there any restriction, were you kept constraint. It there were any constraints, they were self made," the Air Marshal said.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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August 10, 2025, 17:51 IST

News politics ‘Why Keep Lying?’ Kiren Rijiju To Rahul Gandhi Over 'IAF's Hands Tied' Remark

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