Opposition Parties Casting Aspersions on Surgical Strikes

The series of tirades raised by opposition leaders casting aspersions on the veracity of surgical strikes are deplorable and reprehensible. The author in her article on surgical strikes made opening remark indicating that “the hues of response varied from elation, surprise and suspicion”. The unequivocal show of confidence and support demonstrated by the political party leaders’ post-surgical strikes lauding the bold action of Prime Minister Modi simply vanquished into thin airs. Within days, the jubilation of bringing the clandestine neighbor to its knees was replaced by the strong urge of conquest over vote bank. Brandishing his true political colors, Arvind Kejriwal in a video message while praising Modi and saluting the Army had asked for proof of surgical strikes instigating all other political parties to jump into the fray. Kejriwal’s callous remarks are no different from his stand on Kashmir when he supported Prashant Bhushan’s Give Kashmir to Pakistan statement. This was followed by Congress Leader Sanjay Nirupam’s controversial press statements “Every Indian wants surgical strikes against Pakistan but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by BJP”. The Congress while distancing itself from the statement reiterated similar stand by carefully rephrasing the sentence and party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala expressed “It’s time for the government to expose malicious propaganda. The evidence should be made public”. On the same day, Chidambaram, who has served as the Home Minister of India too demanded for a proof. Congress leaders, Digvijay Singh, former Union Minister Anand Sharma too joined the brigade. Digvijay Singh in an interview remarked that he was not bothered about Pakistan’s denial of the surgical strikes but concerned about UN spokesperson and observers unwarranted denial and its impact on Army’s credibility.

For all the bone-less courage displayed in questioning the Modi, Kejriwal’s tireless services were rewarded by donning him as the Indian hero championing Pakistan’s cause in all its newspapers. Not to be left behind of all the laurels from the regional adversary, JD (U) joined the AAP in demanding government to furnish proof of evidence. Congress spokesperson announced that “We are proud that, even in the past, our forces had successfully conducted such surgical strikes on numerous occasions- particularly on September 1^st 2011, July 28^th 2013 and January 14^th 2014, giving a befitting reply to the enemy”. He added, “UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, had its maturity, wisdom and interest of the national security, avoided making a loud claim to ensure the effective response and action of the Indian Army, which had the full support of political leadership”. To its worst embarrassment, former DGMO of the Army from 2012-2014 Lt. Gen. Vinod Bhatia refuted Congress claims of strikes in 2013. He replied “Earlier strikes, they were not even strikes, they were cross-border operations done at the local level without much planning and without much thought” puncturing Congress’s bluster. Sharad Pawar of NCP joined the raging political debate and added that UPA conducted four surgical strikes but never boasted about the action.

Series of flip-flops, unconditional apologies tendered by various political leaders on the TV show in past couple of days’ testimonies their avarice for power and money. The ridiculous mockery of the surgical strikes by the AAP leader Kapil Mishra in a public meeting yesterday vouches for their deep seated lust for political ascendency. The brazen, ludicrous comments and untenable tone of the politicians undermining the great valor of Indian Armed Forces is simply disgusting. Ungracious remarks of politicians might cost India its sovereignty. If not for the indomitable courage, valor and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, India would have lost its territories to belligerent neighbors.

The discussion about the controversial statements of opposition leaders is not to show that BJP is all clear and sanctimonious. Rather BJP must show more restraint and refrain from chest-thumping since the real heroes who deserve the credit are the soldiers at the frontiers who are guarding the borders 24X7 relentlessly. The concurrence of opposition chorus against the government is a worrying development. Surgical strikes have stuck a cord of assertive nationalism among people. There has been a sudden surge of growing public adulation and opposition parties are unable to withstand Modi’s grudging admiration domestically and internationally. Sadly, at a time when multi-pronged diplomatic strategy adopted by the NDA government started yielding results and Pakistan started feeling the pinch of isolation, Indian politicians are shamelessly engaged in a war of words. The Pakistani news agency Dawn carried an exclusive article where the civilian government “in a blunt, orchestrated and unprecedented warning has informed military leadership of growing international isolation of Pakistan and sought consensus on several key actions by the state”. Clearly, Pakistan is reeling under the strain of Sharif Vs Sharif.

Unfortunately, the constant political bickering and simmering incongruences in crucial aspects like national security is highly debilitating. While the political slugfest is a common feature of a democratic country, it is highly unusual to find contrastingly opposing voices about issues vital to national interest. The hesitation of Indian politicians in out rightly condemning issues related to safety, integrity and security of nation is appalling. In no other nation of the World does politicians demand a proof for any action conducted by their army. Pakistan is known for its subterfuge, duplicity and pretense. Pakistan initially condemned the surgical strikes but rather quickly articulated that strikes have never occurred. Does the sudden twist of statements not ring alarm bells for the Indian politicians? By demanding proof of surgical strikes, they are simply playing into hands of Pakistan. It’s common sense. It’s not rocket science.

International community stood by India and strongly defended its position. Countries like US, Russia, Germany, France and other Muslim nations expressed their solidarity. What makes these politicians sing the tune of Pakistan that no strikes ever happened? If strikes haven’t happened where is the need to take the international media on a tour to its borders? Moreover, if strikes have never happened what did the Pakistan government show, in the sense what are the areas surveyed by the journalists. Why is there a damning urgency for the opposition to demand a proof? In this internet age, nothing can stay secret for long and eventually the proofs would be out sooner or later. Aren’t they simply playing into hands of Pakistan by keeping the security interests of India at stake? Moreover, at a time when India has shown the courage and dynamism to take the bull by its horns, why spoil the efforts? It is now obvious, that the so called political leaders are just worried about the outcomes of the upcoming assembly elections.

The venomous campaign against the government reached a hilt today with Rahul Gandhi’s Khoon ki Dalili comment. This outburst reverberated Congress’s visceral hatred towards Modi. It is in tune with Sonia Gandhi’s projection of Modi as Maut Ka Saudagar in the run up to General Elections. Clearly, the impatient rants, collaborative opposition fulmination of the opposition originates from their deep seated hatred towards Modi. It is unfortunate that the opposition blinded by anti-Modi maxim are resorting to imbecile offensive which is deleterious to national interests. Moreover, Military is a national asset. As former Lt. Gen. Shankar Ray Chaudhary pointed that just as Indira Gandhi was credited for the most convincing victory in 1971 similarly, the governments in power currently is entitled for the honor. But this should necessarily mean that BJP should draw political mileage from it. Realizing the acerbity of the political developments, Modi asked his ministers to stop chest-thumping and speaking about surgical strikes. Hope BJP leaders would stop indulging in unwarranted jingoism before the damage is done. In the meanwhile, to provide convincing evidence of strikes, Indian News Agencies are working on ground. The report by Praveen Swamy of Indian Express and the investigative journalism of Manoj Gupta of CNN-News 18 have provided valuable clues confirming the authenticity of surgical strikes.

The meaningless rants of the political iconoclasts reminded of the Winston Churchill’s Prophecy about India after independence. “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles”. In his speech made in the British Parliament House of Commons on March 6^th 1947 with reference to India Army he said- “Nevertheless, the great volunteer army in the World that fought on either side in that struggle was formed in India. More than three and a half million men came forward to support the King-Emperor and the cause of Britain; they came forward not by conscription or compulsion, but out of their loyalty to Britain and to all that Britain stood for in their lives”. Though the acerbic references made by racist like Churchill towards India are cynical they are unfortunately true. India, home to the one of the ancient civilizations had been a crowning glory among the World nations for its vast commercial, cultural and religious wealth. But the gradual decadency that loomed over the Indian subcontinent reduced it into a colony of the British Empire. Indeed, Indian history is littered by the stories of inept, callous, sacrilegious rulers who were instrumental for eventual downfall of the mighty country. Unfortunately, despite suffering brutal setbacks at the hands of various foreign invaders who mercilessly plundered the nation, desecrated religious places and ruthlessly committed genocides, neither the Indian rulers of those times nor the Indian politicians of the 21^st century failed to learn any lessons. Perhaps, it is right time that comprehensive studies on Indian history become part of the curriculum so that future generations would be wary of treacherous pitfalls overpassed by Indian rulers and leaders alike. The real scourge on India currently is absence of unity among the political dispensation when the nation is bracing a war-like situation. The top trend in Pakistan: # PakstandswithKejriwal says it all.

India is at crossroads and government is making calibrated moves to catapult the country to the next stage. Domestic political squabbles and lack of consensus on issues of national concerns might be detrimental. The diverse political voices should rather strengthen the democracy and facilitate the growth of country but not stifle the progress.

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