ENEMIES OF INDIA- WHO

ENEMIES OF INDIA—- WHO?

If a question is put to average but knowledgable Indians as to who were the “real enemies” of India. Almost 99% hands will go up in response to say , “Pakistan and China”. I would retort “ No. The real enemy is within” . Pakistan and China are exploiters of our internal conditions.

Some smart Alec would construe them as insurgents, militants, terrorists or even religious fundamentalists . I would again rise in protest to say , “NO”. Insurgents and terrorists are the product of internal conditions created by our “ Real Enemies” .

Have I confused you? I do not think I have done that. I have only tried to make you scratch your cerebral tissues. I bet you know them but fail to see them. They are with you and around you. They are the agent provocateurs of disharmony in the life of every law abiding citizen of India.

Is it still a riddle for you ? OK— let me list them out for you. They are, in the order of priority of descending order, as listed below :-

a) Indian legal and Judicial system

b) Indian Constitution

c) Indian political system.

d) Elements of committed but irresponsible media

You will wonder as to why do I say so? Take Indian judicial and legal system. National security is NOT their concern but the fundamental rights of the individuals who work against the very foundation of the nation. It allows corrupt and dishonest to go scot free. A former home minister and his son were involved in massive financial scam but judiciary is letting them go on bail. Not only this, the son has been allowed to travel abroad. Who knows , he might be destroying all the evidence against him.,Take the National herald case, it has been languishing in the courts for God knows how many years.. All those who were involved in 2 G or CWG scams roam freely. Courts show no urgency . But it sits at night to consider the plea of a proven terrorist .

Then again, while Maharashtra police swings into action to arrest five overground activists of Maoists organisation, who have undoubtedly taken up arms against the state, but the courts put the spoke in the wheel. The judicial system fails to recognise that breather given to such people leads to destruction of evidence and thus allow these guys to go scot free.

Further, courts treat security forces at par with the terrorists. Recent orders that FIRs be registered against soldiers in the case of encounter deaths. Courts do not realise that soldiers are not acting against terrorists on their free will. They are there because the state has asked them to deal with terrorists/ insurgents as they deem fit. This is why ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT - 1958 ( AFSPA-1958) is there. This is an act passed by parliament and courts can not interfere with it. But Indian courts consider themselves above parliament too.

A High Court has passed a very interesting order recently, where by, it has asked NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (NHIA) to create a separate lane at Toll Plazas for Judges and VIPs. Are they above law of the land? If they feel Toll Plazas are a hindrance, pass order to remove them—- why create a special class of privileges? It is such privileges which are creating not only social tension but also lead to frustration of the “underprivileged”. It is such “reservation” which accounts for class and caste cleavages in the society. It would be interesting to carry out a study of the family relationships of High Court and Supreme Court judges.

I now turn to Indian Constitution. There is a solid confusion. On one side we say that there should be no discrimination based on caste, creed, religion and region . In the eyes of the Indian Constitution every one is equal. On the other hand provisions of Article 35 A and 370 bestow special privileges upon Hill states and J& K. Why is this duplicity ? Take the open ended case of Reservations for SC/ ST and OBC. It has been 71 years but still it goes on unabated. One time reservation in educational institutes and Government jobs are understandable but why do be apply it in promotions. What business do the sons, daughters and wards of creamy layer amongst these castes have to seek promotions in the quota system? But it has become a norm of vote bank politics. Even the present central Government has fallen prey to this. Reservations have a cascading effect on governance . Inefficient, inept and incompetent persons fill the slot and thus corruption becomes rampant. This leads to frustration and violence as is evident from Maoists/ Naxalite movement. Bulk of the People, whom provision of reservation was supposed to help, have not been benefitted. It has not altered not their fate . It has only helped some power brokers . The majority of the unaffected people are, thus, up in arms. What was needed was to make the socially under privileged capable of standing on their own feet and not dependent upon the state. Unfortunately, they have been made appendage of the state. Like Reservation , same is true of Article 35 A and Article 370. They are no more treated as measures to uplift the under privileged but as FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. Thus it is the constitution which has created her own enemies.,

What about Indian political system? Less said is better. In pursuit of their short term Political goals the politicians harm the national interests. Constructive criticism has given way to political cynicism . Allegations and counter allegations harm national interests. Politicians talk ill of each other in foreign land. One politician, who regularly visits Pakistan went to the extent of saying that Indo-Pak relations can not be normal, as long as Present regime in India continues.. This leads to political bitterness and thus causing disharmony and restlessness in the country. It allows Pakistan and China to exploit this situation. Now think who is the real enemy of India.

Finally , I am afraid media in India is not only irresponsible but an agent of disharmony but the cause of widening the social gulf. Committed and irresponsible journalists, instead of dousing the social fires, add fuel to it by taking up issues which leads to religious and social divisions. Overly repeating certain issues make people the card of Victim of media activism. It happened during Gujarat riots in 2001 and it left its tell tale marks in recent issues of “Beef Row” or “Intolerance Debate”. Controversial Issues like Babri - Ram-Janam-bhoomi case are overly repeated on the electronic media with opposing parties hitting hard at each other. It creates a wide chasm amongst two religious communities. How can a feeling of “India First” be imbibed when religious and caste affinities reign supreme?

India needs to first fight these evils before it can tackle foreign dangers. It is the internal enemy which breaks up a nation. The balkanisation of erstwhile Soviet Union is an example in front of us. Same could be said of Yugoslavia and Chezckosalvakia. India is full of its diversities and vulnerabilities. The internal enemies are not only perpetuating but widening these cleavages. It is the anti-thesis for the existence of India.

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MYTHS AND BELIEFS

MYTHS AND BELIEFS !!!

I am a firm believer that knowledge was an expanding horizon of mind and not a bounded geography of beliefs, which only show the limit of human knowledge. As soon as new facts emerge old beliefs get shattered. New knowledge is the product of constant inquiry and experiment . Knowledge comes when one remembers the golden rule that beliefs are meant to be unbelieved.

Today is Krishna Janamasthami—- the day Lord Krishna , supposedly an eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu of Hindu beliefs, was born in a prison cell at Mathura more than 5000 years back. This is a belief, mystified by the fact that his father , Vasudeva had his chains broken at the time of Krishna’s birth and doors of jail cell were thrown wide open. Thus, Krishna was exported out of Jail Cell to Nandgaon. There is another belief that River Yamuna , which was in spate, parted itself to allow Vasudeva to cross it with newly born lord Krishna in a basket over his head.?

I have no disputes with these beliefs . But a number of question do arise in my mind . We all know that the Great War if Mahabharata might have taken place between 3000 years to 5000 years back, as Western and India scholars contest it respectively. Is this war a myth or a belief or even some kind of truth?

Let me just pose one question on the recital of SHRIMAD Bhagvad Gita by Lord Krishna . We are told that the great message was recited by Krishna as a sermon to Arjuna, when the two armies of Kaurava and Pandava were facing each other at the battlefield of Kurukshetra . The story of Mahabharata was narrated by great sage Vyas to Lord Ganesha. The GITA was recited by Charioteer Sanjay to DHRITRASHTRA , the blind father of Kaurava. So you see it is not the original narration but a story narrated by some one of what someone else had narrated.. I am seeking answer to my queries as to where was Great Sage Vyasa when Sanjay was narrating the events at Kurukshetra. Did he hear first hand? Where was Sanjay located ? Was he on the battlefield at Kurukshetra or at Hastinapur ? What was this Divya Drishti which made him see and hear these great words of wisdom?

It is a general belief that when spoken words pass through various hands—- they change their tone and tenor and generally spicy elements get added , changing the whole complexion of original fact. My question is : Could this have happened in this case too?

Once I asked a Swami ji as to where was Charioteer Sanjay located when he was narrating recital of Gita by Lord Krishna ? Swamy ji gave me the the age old stale answer—— DIVYA DRISHTI. I shot back if he was RELAYING what Lord Krishna was supposedly reciting——could this be taken as gospel truth? How much could this be the brainchild of Sanjay’s mind? “ NIL” , the Swami said. I retorted—- were you there ? How could you say with such an authenticity? He gave me no answer—- but said : DO NOT TEMPER WITH BELIEFS. I replied that beliefs restrain the mind from questioning the unquestionable. Knowledge is an expanding genre of mind and not a bounded geography. He got up and walked away saying GHOR KALYUG . My reaction , where logic fails; escapism begins.

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INDIAN DEMOCRACY - A FARCIACAL JOKE

INDIAN DEMOCRACY : A FARCICAL JOKE !!!

They say that Parliament, Executive (Government) and judiciary are the three pillars of a democracy. All three pillars need to work in consonance with each other to make the democracy stable and vibrant . However, in Indian context all three are working at cross- purposes with each other so as to make Indian democracy a big farce .

It may be noted that two buzz words of democracy , namely, Liberty and freedom, are not new to Indian political system. Even in ancient India of monarchical system they were adhered to with utmost zeal. Remember the right of a woman to choose a husband through the process of SWAYAMBER! It bears testimony to the fact of freedom enjoyed by the women. However, they were not allowed to hamper the security and integrity of the state. Whenever they did , India lost its sovereignty and passed into vassalage . It goes without saying that the three pillars of modern Indian democracy are endangering the national security through their expedient acts .

Indian parliament has become a big comedy theatre . No purposeful debates and discussions on national issues are carried out there. In fact, the government and opposition try to play a game of one.upmanship . Instead of discussing poverty alleviation, economic growth , health care etc, they keep throwing verbal barbs at each other. Trooping into the well of the House is a method adopted to stall parliamentary process and thus waste valuable time of the nation.,

Allegations and counter allegations fly like uncontrolled missiles, causing collateral damage to the nation. Matters of national security are treated as personal battles. Lies and fiction add negative spin to the whole issue. Take the case of “Augusta Helicopter” or “Rafaela Fighter Jet” deals. Instead of discussing the need and necessity of these items, while focus is on the “imagined Devil” in the deal. The opposition fights not on the quality of the equipment but on the “bonanza” it might have missed out owing to not being a party to the deal.

The Government, which ever political party heads it, remains focused on winning elections. Most of the actions are taken by the governments keeping in mind the “Elections”, it’s policies are decided by the vote bank politics. Issues of “Reservation” ; “Triple Talaq”; “Kashmir” and “OROP” etc are handled not on the basis of national interests but the vested interests of the political party heading the government.

Indian politicians are a worst breed of humans. They can never rise above their narrow and parochial self-interests. They exploit general public on caste, creed and religious affiliations. Communities are treated as a herd of sheep, just blindly following their community leader. No wonder political leaders want their communities to be illiterate and poor so that they can listen to their diktats. It is one of the main reasons that “fear psychosis” dominate the minority communities in India. A non - existent “Hindu Majority” fear is used to mislead the Muslims of India . Most of the SC/ ST leaders roll in money while bulk of their communities still remain below the poverty line, even after 71 years of the policy of reservations. “Double Reservations” in professional educational institutes and then in governmental jobs, including promotions, benefit only those who have already taken advantage in getting admitted to educational institutes or entry into government jobs. Such lopsided policies are followed by the politicians only to keep alive their personal agendas.

Indian judiciary is in its own league. National security to it is an alien concept. It views everything from her legal eyes of liberty and freedom. Some of its leading lights see soldiers as “murderers” and they want FIRs to be registered against soldiers if “terrorists” were killed in encounter. Indian courts devote more time on “non- issues” and unwanted “PILs”. SC sits till midnight to decide about the case of the hanging of a terrorist involved in “Mumbai 26/11” while “Ram Janam bhoomi- Babri Masjid “ issue has been hanging fire for the last 27 years. Sometimes judiciary starts interfering with the functioning of “Executive”.

Functioning of Indian courts need much to be desired. Cases keep languishing in courts for long durations . A refrain is that a land case filed by a person today might go on till his great grand child becomes a major. Generally debates in various courts go off the track and non - issues become the main issues. Known criminals are often let out on bail and thus allowing them to destroy evidence. Political leaders involved in corruption, continue to move about on bail. This is the biggest hypocrisy of the Indian judiciary. A common man, accused of any offence, gets no respite while rich and influential go scot free even when there are proven charges against them. National Herald case or DA case of certain politicians or even the case of a son of a former Home Minister / Finance Minister bear testimony to the fact as to how rich and influential enjoy legal immunity on flimsy grounds. Sometimes judiciary plays to the gallery. Take the case of “five Urban Terrorists” , accused of “Bhim- Koregaon” conspiracy. they have been put under mere house arrest. Had there been a common man , he would have been thrown into prison without any trial. Why should judiciary interfere with police investigations like this ? This is why most often hardcore criminals go scot free. No wonder some known corrupt politicians roam freely—— judiciary has a big hand in making Indian Democracy a big joke.

Indian legal system has made India a soft state. Anyone can play around with it. Take the case of Rohingyas and Bangla Delhi Muslims. They enjoy such immunity that no Common citizen of India also can not. Rohingyas have been settled in the sensitive state of Jammu & Kashmir where Indian Citizens can not settle. Take the case of Article 35A and Article 370— Indian SC is dilly- dallying with it and refusing to take a just position . Both these provisions are discriminatory . Neither Indian Government nor Judiciary is taking a correct position on this. Well less said of the politicians, both ruling and opposition, is better. All of them have made India a jocular democracy .

What say thou?

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INDO-PAK NORMALCY --- A PIPE DREAM !,

INDO - PAK RIDDLE—- NORMALISATION IS A PIPE DREAM !

Navjyot Singh Sidhu’s recent visit to Pakistan may fool some people but the normalisation of INDO- PAK relations is a pipe dream, as long as Pakistan army calls the shots in Pakistan . The much hyped talk of opening of Kartarpur border is a bait for Indian Sikhs by Pakistan army/—it wants to revive Khalistan movement in Punjab. Mischief is evidently obvious. Have no doubts .Imran or no Imran, nothing has changed in Pakistan. Gen VK Singh’s warning should be well taken. Sidhu should know that by embracing Pakistani Army Chief—— relations do not improve. If it was so , it should have happened at Agra summit, when Gen Mushareff and AB Vajpayee embraced each other. Sidhu must come out of his “Noble Peace Prize” dream. Let him not make INDO- PAK relations a Sitcom of THOKO TALI genre.

I have been an ardent Pakistan watcher. I Listen to all their discussions and debates on various TV Channels. Just go to YouTube and watch any Pakistani TV debate . The start point is with the remarks that INDIA WAS THEIR NUMBER ONE ENEMY and all THE PROBLEMS OF PAKISTAN HAVE BEEN CREATED BY INDIA., Anyone who raises his voice against this narrative is declared as a RAW Agent. Thus, Muhajir and Baloch leaders who cry against atrocities of Pakistan army in Sindh and Baluchistan are treated as traitors . Altaf Hussain of MQM, London based leader, is the victim of this euphemism .

Actually , I won’t blame Pakistani media. There are large number of well meaning journalists but they are all under the thumb of Pakistan Army and ISI . The anti - India Narrative is of course of Pakistan Army and ISI. A Pakistani editor of Express Tribune , Shaheen, commented a few years back, “ General are not fools to run out of business by bargaining peace with India”. Anti- India stance is the staple diet of Pakistan army

It is not to comment adversely against General public of Pakistan. Bulk of it wants normalisation but army would not let it happen. Last Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharief tried to do it—- he was called a traitor (Gaddar). He was dethroned through a military - judicial coup. The two members of the JIT appointed against him were Army officers from ISI—- who manipulated all the evidence against him. It is surprising to know as to what sort of restrictions were imposed on him—— he can not lead a political party—- he can not make a political speech—— he can not contest elections. What sort of democracy is Pakistan?

Yes , what sort of Democracy ? By all accounts, internal and external, the recent elections in August 2018 were rigged by army to prop up Imran Khan. Even the results were manipulated. One wonders why was Imran not termed as GADDAR when he sent a message to India suggesting “One - Step - India moves; Two Steps Pakistan will move”. When Naveen Jindal, an Indian business man friend of Nawaz Sharief, visited him in Muree in 2017, all sorts of names were called. When Nabjyot Sidhu went , he was a friend of Imran. Such double standards lay bare Pakistan Army ‘s control over Pakistan media.

As a narrative of her Army, Pakistani media exaggerates incidents of Indian Kashmir. At the same time, it cries foul when pointed out of their doings in Baluchistan, Karachi, Sindh and FATA . As per Pakistani narrative , 3/4 of Indian army is busy in Kashmir. Bloated figures are discussed in all TV debates. Cases of Murders, rape, abduction and Child maiming are talked about as if only monsters roam the streets and villages of Kashmir. What a laughable argument when it is asserted that militancy in Kashmir was indigenous and not sponsored by Pakistan but in Baluchistan and Sindh it is India sponsored. They blame it on Indian NSA , Ajit Doval. Generals can fool Pakistani Public but not independent observers outside.

Pakistan broke up in 1971 because of the folly of her Generals. Hamidur Rehman report is till date not made public. Pakistani public knows it but some how constrained to say it openly. Similar conditions are being created in Sindh and Baluchistan. A MQM leader had recently said that Pakistan will soon enter a GEO- POLITICAL BLACK HOLE . It may become a reality if Generals in Pakistan do not realise their folly that Pakistan will grow not by pin- pricking India but by being truly friendly—- Not like embracing gestures with Sidhu but by earnestly engaging with Government to Government basis. Sidhu is no more than a TV Comedian—- who is not taken seriously by people who matter

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CREEPER--- A POEM

CREEPER — A POEM BY ME -

O' you, 'creeper' ! you do have no bones!

Reason, you cannot rise on your own;

Fine! You make a 'wall' look like a gem!

Alas! But you need the support of a stem.

No doubts, you add to outdoor's beauty!

But no one needs you inside, dear sweetie!

You do give company to the 'gate- keeper',

For, isn't it what your worth, dear 'creeper'?

You do hide the ugliness like cosmetics do,

But as you creep the walls, house owners rue;

You do expand like a nuclear chain reaction -

A thing of beauty becomes cause of distraction.

Sometimes you grow on walls of 'ruins',

You rot there because of your own 'doings';

What a graet irony, you rely on those walls--

Who devoid of strength, would invariably fall.

Often, many venomnous insects live on you,

You hide them in your foiliage from sun and dew;

As the autumn comes, they shall all disappear,

You will die but no benficiary would shed tears .

I know, I know they say plants, too, have lives-

But what is life's worth if it has no self -pride?

We do have amongst humans your brand too-

"Human creepers", also, need crutches like you.

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QUESTIONING AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY

QUESTIONING AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM & LIBERTY !

Any nation or an organisation which wants to grow and develop at a fast pace ought to have social, political , fiscal and time discipline. China is a shining example of growth and development because of enforced discipline, though it became independent two years later than India, a cautionary not here to say that excess of everything is bad. Excessive control or tight discipline will take you the Soviet Union way. What is needed is a man appropriate balance of discipline and Freedom. Somehow , as things stand today , India needs to be dosciplined .

And discipline , like chivalry, begins at home. In the old joint family system, the word of the parents or the family elder used to be the last word on any subject. No one dared question it, however wrong it could be. At the same time one must note that when the head of the family was confronted with logic and convincing reasoning , he would relent. This was a clear example family democracy .

Thus , the authority of the elderly person was final . There was no appeal against it. Being amenable to elderly Person’s diktats in the family, every person followed societal and community rules and laws. No wonder society remained harmonious by and large till outsiders and external factors disturbed this balance and social equivalence .

This family discipline when applied to military organisations, it made soldiers, in the days begone, obey their leaders without raising any eyebrow. No wonder in his poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, Alfred Tennyson, observes :-

“—Not though the soldier knew,

Someone had blundered.

Theirs not to make reply,

Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die.

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.”

However rules have changed today. Hype for freedom and liberty has disturbed the family discipline system. Democracy has individualised society , where every one is chasing and pursuing his own goals —- thus, questioning everything that comes their way. Questioning authority has become a practising principle of the modern generations.

So, anarchy and disharmony are the ruling norms of all political and social systems which lay excessive emphasis on freedom of expression and unshackled liberties. Even your Mobile phone and computer can lead to chaos if its motherboard is disturbed when you temper with the programmed software.

Exactly like the disturbance of the motherboard of a computer system, tempering of the authority through unbridled liberties and freedom, the social and political systems get strained in a democracy. Thus, the fear of authority having gone, police and administration systems in a democracy are almost defunct. Crime and criminals are on the rise. A general refrain is that RULES WERE FOR THE FOOLS. Policemen are daily beaten in the broad day light on the busy crossroads. Even the judges of the highest court openly flout the authority of the Chief Justice. Legal discipline had thus taken a beating. In the name of freedom of expression, the Prime Minister is abused daily. Political discipline is at its lowest ebb.

Murders are committed in the courts under the very eyes of honourable judges and accused walk away freely. Dishonest and corrupts are bailed out by the courts because of committed judiciary. Indian soldiers, who fought in the two world wars, were the best disciplined soldiers. Unfortunately, this has changed now.

Thus social , legal , political, fiscal and even military discipline in India is cracking everywhere . There is all round disharmony . Everyone on his own. No wonder universities rattle with slogans like “ Bharat Tere Tukde Honge kAYI Hazar ( India you will be broken into thousand of pieces) or AFZAL GURU HUM SHARMINDA HAI TERE KATIL ZINDA HAI ( Afzal Guru we are ashamed that people who hanged you are alive). Surprisingly, the same courts who sent Afzal Guru to gallows are letting free on bail these slogan shouting urchins.

India is at cross roads —- 2019 will spell disaster . Time to restore authority. After all Indra Gandhi might not have been wrong when she imposed internal emergency in India in 1975. Common man had nothing to fear—- Bureaucrats came to office dot at time. Trains were never late. Whole country functioned like a well oiled machine. I had seen it as a young man. Only people who suffered were those who questioned authority. India needs another spell of Internal Emergency to enforce discipline in the polity. I am a votary to discipline in all walks of life .

What would you say ? Have your say —-

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WAR BY OTHER MEANS AND POOR GENERALSHIP IN KASHMIR

'WAR BY OTHER MEANS' (WOM) IN KASHMIR: INEFFECTIVE AND INEPT GENERALSHIP .

Defining new dimension of waging war, General Raheel Sharif, former COAS, Pakistan Army, told his audience in a seminar on Security in KARACHI, as quoted by The Dawn of December 05, 2014, "-----Explosions are still a viable tool of war, but implosions are the new defeat mechanisms,-----". He was actually elucidating the emerging concept of 'War by Other Means'

(WOM), which aims at exploiting the internal vulnerabilities of your opponent. Pakistan has been practicing this art since the conclusion of exercise ' ZARB-E-MOMIN (Strike of the Pure) in 1988. It sees an extensive use of "Irregular Soldiers" or what we call as 'Militants/ terrorists' and what Pakistan prefers to call them as its ' Strategic Asset', but disowns them in international forums as "Stateless Actors".

Why does not India and her leaders, both political and military, understand the nuances of this "Designer war" heaped upon India by Pakistan since 1989? Unfortunately, even most military minds, both serving and retired, have failed to understand the reality of this war. It has nothing to do with 'Law and Order' ; it is war, Sir! Most important , it is for Generals to understand and grasp its characteristics and stop reacting to civilian hue and cry.

In recent years, two deadly terrorists attacks in URI , one in in 2014 and the other in 2016 need a close study by those who handle WOM in Kashmir valley. The terrorist attack in September 2016 led to three surgical strikes by India , claiming killing of 29 terrorists in POK terrorist camps. As usual Pakistan denied it but India showed its no - nonsense approach and Pakistan became defensive. Contrast it with what happened in 2014 .

As per reports about 2014 Terrorist attack in URI in an artillery post, it came out that soldiers on the sentry duty on the army camp, did not fire upon the approaching terrorist vehicle due to caution imposed on them after the Anantnag incident. Caution so imposed led to Sentry responding reluctantly to approaching intruders as desired by military procedures. In so doing, reluctant Sentries were knocked out first.

When Anantnag incident of mistaken/ identity -killing took place in 2014, Corps commander and Army Commander had both called it a mistake, obviously giving a wrong message to commanders down the line. And the result was what happened later at URI. . Should not the Army Cdr and Corps Cdr hold themselves responsible for inhibiting the soldiers under them?. Moral responsibility does call for it, if they have an iota of morality, else stop sermonizing soldiers.

"Was it a mistake"? This question goes to army cdr and the corps cdr who jumped to conclusions when some young men got killed due to mistaken identity. Now, what do they have to say? Don't they think that they had inhibited their soldiers by calling Anantnag incident as a "mistake". Soldiers can not tackle insurgency/ Militancy by their one hand tied at the back. Military commanders must not fall prey to motivated criticism by vested interests of local political leaders. In the case of Anantnag incident the Army Commander and the Corps Commander fell prey to this. Setting aside military wisdom , they got carried away by populism and played to the gallery.

We ought to know that terrorists do not roam with headbands. We must accept such genuine mistakes in fleeting situations of “ Hit and Run’ tactics of terrorists, when we deploy the army for restoration of the situation. Soldiers are not there on their own volition. Everyone must understand the real purpose of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). It is meant to cover unintentional mistakes made by soldiers in the course of the performance of their duty. Any action which prevents or inhibits full liberty and freedom of soldiers, is counter productive and it ought to be countermanded. It was shocking to note when SC ordered registration of FIRs against soldiers in encounter deaths. Unwanted remarks were made by a SC judge recently when he referred to soldiers being “Murderers” . This is no way to fight the WOM. Whole nation has to back up soldiers efforts to win this war of 21st Century.

Encounter killing of Burhan Wani in Kashmir on 9 July 2016 had set the India's English media on fire, more than the protests in Kashmir. Was something grievously wrong done? He was known to have killed Col MN Rai of Indian Army . Was it right? The problem is Indians and it’s military leaders are confused between moralities and security. There is no moral ground when dealing with enemies of the state . And constitutional experts , including Judiciary, Indian constitution vehemently states that anyone who picks up the arms against state wS the enemy of the country. Therefore he ought to be treated as any enemy would be treated.

Maroof Raja , renowned defence analyst and South Asian Security expert, wrote in FAUJI INDIA issue of Sept 2014 "--------Some years ago. when I was speaking to the Core Programme of 16 senior officers of the ranks of Maj./Lt. Generals and their equivalent at the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad, on the subject of my book “Generals and Governments in India and Pakistan” (by Har Anand Publishers), I was asked why have the Armed Forces been so marginalized even in military decision making in India?

My response was that, the situation was of their own making; and a fact that sociologists have no logical answers to. Moreover, my view was that if you feel strongly enough about something, you should either stand up for it or resign and walk off. This obviously didn’t go down well with my audience! That indeed is the key question. To what extent are the brass hats willing to stand up on a matter of principle?' Let's take two examples of General Rodrigues or even Lt. General SP Raman. They both made remarks that they later withdrew under pressure and rendered a public apology? "

Indian Army's generalship of present days need much to be desired. We see, instead, planned succession of Army Chiefs, predetermined by vested interests. This had come out in the public domain when General VK Singh's 'date of birth' controversy had hit the headline. If this is the way, Chiefs are appointed, one can imagine, how other promotions in the army are decided. Its impact we saw in the Kargil-99 fiasco and things have worsened since.

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Are the epics based on true events ?

ARE THE EPICS BASED ON TRUE EVENTS?

There is a school of thought of INDIAN archaeologists and VEDIC historians who are veering around to the view: IF ARYANS WERE NOT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THEN, AND also, IF RAMAYANA WAS ENACTED BEFORE MAHABHARTA, then the place of enactment of RAMAYNA was not present day India but present day AFGHANISTAN.

It is also said river HEMLAND in Afghanistan was the original SARASWATI river--surprisingly it has a tributary called GANGA even today. Those of you who know our RIG VEDA( A collection of 1056 SANSKRIT HYMNS), should know that River Saraswati was mentioned
60 times in the verses while GANGA only once. And GANGA is our holiest of Holiy River. Rig Veda is the oldest religious scripture of VEDIC people. Another view exists that probably GHAGHAR river is the long
lost SARSWATI River( Disappeared around 4500 BC in a major earthquake which diverted the path of its tributaries YAMUNA and SATLUJ to present day course) is a latter day SARASWATI--as per the tradition of VEDIC people who carried the geographic names of their
ancestral place , as they moved further EAST.

Contrary to the above, most Indian thinkers, historians and spirituals Gurus maintain that ARYANS were indigenous people. They rubbish Aryan -invasion theory. If so, then the archaeologists who insist on the Afghanistan -evidence of RAMAYANA, ask whether MAHABHARTA preceded RAMAYNA. This is because of the geographical layout of the areas of enactment as per our beliefs. It Is becoming a "CHICKEN AND EGG STORY". Let us explore the truth. Have your take.

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