Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday lashed out at the government for ”stubbornly” refusing a discussion on the India-China border issue in Parliament, and said its silence on matters of serious concern has become its defining feature.Addressing party MPs at the general body meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the central hall of Parliament, she also accused the government of delegitimising the judiciary and termed it as a ”troubling new development”. Referring to the border situation, the former Congress president said disallowing a parliamentary debate on such a serious issue ”shows disrespect for our democracy and reflects poorly on the government’s intentions”.She said a frank discussion strengthens the nation’s response and it is the duty of the government of the day to inform the public and explain its policies and actions. Noting that the ”continuing incursions by China on our border is a matter of serious concern”, she said the nation stands with vigilant soldiers who repelled these attacks under difficult conditions.

