“Bhookhe Bhajan Na Hoye Gopala”

“Bhookhe Bhajan Na Hoye Gopala”

The Balakot-fuelled ultra-Nationalist pitch, along with the utopian Hindu Rashtra dream acted as steroids to mask BJP’s lack-lustre performance, and won it a thumping majority. While the BJP Top Brass’s euphoria has waned now, many fawning TV anchors are still experiencing orgasmic raptures as they rave about their dead accurate forecasts of the electorate’s mood. Perhaps, for the next elections, the EC could consider declaring results based on prophecies of oracles from Republic, Times Now, Zee News, Aaj Tak, CNN News 18 and India Today news channels, and save the Nation crores in election expenses.

The mood of the top hierarchy of Modi 2.0 is appropriately more sombre, as it gets down to business. It is aware that this time there may not even be the usual honeymoon period when the people patiently give time to the new regime to settle down. For Modi 1.0 that period ran much longer until the demonetization hara-kiri. People’s expectations now are very high and their patience is running low. GDP growth has slowed down; investments have dried up; Banks’ NPAs have risen to record heights; NBFCs are in crises, and industrial growth is virtually negligible. Adding to the Govt’s worries is the late and likely-to-be deficient monsoon, with 42% of India’s land area already reeling under drought.

The alacrity with which the new Govt released the ACTUAL unemployment figures, which it had been obfuscating all through the pre-election period, clearly shows its great anxiety on this account. It has thus admitted to the true situation, and in the process set the Base level very low, so that even marginal increases in employment generation in future could be touted as great progress. However, it is well aware that this time gimmickry and fudging of economic data and performance figures will not work.

I believe Bhakt Sur Das is credited with the words “Bhookhe Bhajan Na Hoye Gopala”. This should be a clear reminder and a warning to the NDA Govt that no amount of artificially generated Narratives on Nationalism, Hindu Rashtra, real or concocted internal and external security threats, populist schemes and seductive promises will assuage people’s hunger, wants, and expectations. Ram Mandir will not be a substitute for real and substantive progress on all fronts, and a marked amelioration of the peoples lot.

I am inclined to believe the Prime Minister’s exhortation to carry along all communities and sections of society, as a course-correction. Lack of communal and social harmony will be very detrimental for economic recovery and hence the signal to tone down the communal rhetoric, which has already served its electoral purpose. But, has the signal emanated from Nagpur, from where strident voices are already clamouring for early construction of Ram Mandir? Will not the militant Hindutva outfits queer the pitch for the Govt? Even if the PM is earnest, will he be able to take firmer steps against the hotheaded cadres, even at the risk of alienating his base? Doubtful. Once you have mounted the communal tiger, it is difficult to dismount.

As for the Opposition, BJP’s thumping victory ought to be a blessing in disguise. Even if it had somehow formed a Govt, how long would it have lasted after inheriting such enormous economic and social problems? With their disparate agendas, bloated egos, unrealistic ambitions, and in the absence of even a common minimum programme, they would have ended up as the Janata Party, and sent into oblivion. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. It is the NDA Govt, which has to deliver, not only by rectifying the several faux pas of its previous tenure, but also by meeting the heightened expectations of the people. Having been given an overwhelming mandate, it cannot have any excuse for non-delivery. It will have to perform or perish.      

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

I am NOT as shocked by Yogi Adityanath’s outrageous dubbing of the Indian Army as “Modi Ji ki Sena”, as I am by the amoral and inexcusable silence of Modi-Bhakts within the Veterans community over this abomination. Are they so indoctrinated and steeped in his Bhakti that they have betrayed their allegiance to the Armed Forces, and indeed to the Constitution itself? Or, are they so fearful of Modi Ji that they have chosen to condone yet another among numerous blows to the honour and dignity of Faujis inflicted by him, his Raksha Mantri, and several other Chowkidars in the BJP hierarchy?

It is perfectly legitimate for Veterans to have personal views either in favour of Modi Ji and the BJP, or against them, after carrying out an objective analysis of their policies and performance. However, what is galling and betrays a lack of moral courage, is when they remain silent about their various misdeeds, especially against the Armed Forces, while at the same pouring scorn and ridiculing the Opposition at every opportunity.

Sadly, it is not just the Indian polity, but even a glorious, apolitical and secular institution such as the Armed Forces that have been polarized sharply in this highly vitiated electoral battle. This is dangerous. It will leave a lasting impact on this institution, which will be highly detrimental for the Nation’s security. Regrettably, the BJP, in its electoral desperation, is being very reckless in this regard.    

The Choice in 2019 Elections

A feeling of desperation and panic is clearly palpable in the BJP. One can sense it in the shrill outbursts of their spokespersons on TV, the angry rants from their trolls and Bhakts on social media, and the repeated resort to “what about…” of the Congress era dating back to Nehru, when they are asked about failures of the Modi regime.   

It also manifests in the increasing resort to gimmickry (e.g. main bhi chowkidar), abusive name-calling of the disgusting sadak-chhap variety, high-decibel pseudo-Nationalism, and dubbing all who question Modi as anti-National and Pakistani agents.  

Chowkidar Modiji himself is leading this muscular response, fully aware that constant harping on National security, Balakot, ASAT etc alone can divert attention of the voters from the acute farm distress and unemployment problems, as well as the uncomfortable questions about various scams, including Rafale.   

BJP has cleverly intimidated the visual and print media into brazenly toeing its line. So, Nationalism is stoked and people’s problems are sidetracked. Likewise, the RSS and BJP have succeeded in dousing the clamour for the unfulfilled Ram Mandir promise, on which emotive issue it rose to power. It has thus been able to control the narrative substantially.

But, do TV debates and social media interactions really sway voters significantly in this age of 24/7 media bombardment? People’s minds are already made up, and the shouting bouts on TV serve only as amusement. Social media interactions on the other hand have become too toxic even between family and friends.

Elections are decided not by the urban middle class, but by millions of poor and under-privileged people, for whom everyday existence is a struggle. So, will the poor farmers overburdened with unpaid loans, or millions of unemployed youth really feel ecstatic and enthused when Modiji talks about his great achievements in Balakot and the ASAT launch? It might stir up their patriotic fervour for a few moments, but soon their hopeless situation in the ‘real world’ would engulf them again.

The Nation also carries deep scars on its psyche due to polarizing hate-mongering by the rioting, lynching and moral-policing cadres of various outfits under RSS tutelage.  Countless victims as well as millions of passive, but outraged observers too will now have an opportunity to give their verdict as to what sort of a Nation and society they want.  

I therefore feel this is going to be a landmark watershed election. Do we want a pluralist, secular and equitable society that our Constitution guarantees, or do we want a rabid majoritarian polity, an ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor, where the rich and the powerful subvert the rule of law and all institutions that are supposed to protect individual rights and dignity?

I BELIEVE THE CHOICE IS CLEAR.

AG Recovers the “Stolen” Rafale File Overnight

If it were not a very serious matter of National security, all citizens would have laughed out loud at the farce being enacted in the Supreme Court since last week. The Attorney General argued before the SC that the Petitioners could not cite the Rafale documents published in The Hindu article, as those were from the Secret file that had been stolen from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). When questioned, he nonchalantly stated that an internal investigation was on, but no FIR had been lodged. Quite aghast, the Chief Justice directed him to file details of the loss and the actions taken at the next hearing.

Print and visual media, in obsequiousness to the Govt’s sensitivities, reported this in an uncharacteristically toned down matter of fact manner even though it was a bombshell, given that the Secret file pertained to the scam-tainted Rafale deal. Social media however went berserk, with alarmed citizens questioning how an ultra-sensitive Secret file could go missing from the MoD. Coming soon after the massive intelligence failure that led to the Pulwama carnage, people questioned the cavalier manner in which the Govt was treating National security. Irate citizens called for action against the Defence Secretary as the head of MoD, and the resignation of the RM.

Obviously, there was consternation in the Govt and Party circles. But, lo and behold, the very next day the AG discovered that the file was NOT STOLEN after all. It had merely been photocopied and leaked to The Hindu. As if photocopying of a Secret MoD document was any less serious or alarming a crime. It seemed as if the AG was mocking the SC Bench, and belittling the intelligence of the learned Judges.

Notwithstanding his advanced age, it is unlikely that a seasoned legal eagle like the AG would have committed a faux pas. Apparently, bumbling bureaucrats in the MoD have led him up the gum tree with their shoddy efforts to cover the tracks, primarily to save their Master, Modi Ji from the burgeoning Rafale scandal. It will be interesting to see if the Bench takes serious umbrage at this volte face. This is even more necessary since the Bench is already adjudicating the far more serious issue of the Govt misleading the Court with an unsigned affidavit that had several false and inaccurate statements.

Even to the most ardent BJP supporters it will be clear that there is much more to it than meets the eye. With its shoddy handling of the Rafale issue, the Govt has indeed strengthened the suspicions of even unbiased observers. It is an acknowledged axiom that the numerous attempts to cover up an original crime end up being far more lethal. Perhaps, the Modi Govt could have learnt a lesson from Dirty Dick’s fate in the infamous Watergate scandal.

Can’t Convince? – Then Confound the Issue

The ugly fracas at JNU has opened up a Pandora’s Box, and given all political parties an opportunity to play, what they excel at – dirty politics. Much to the disappointment of Armed Forces personnel, the fracas has pushed the emotive issue of the tragic demise of L/Nk Hanamanthappa and his nine comrades into the background. But, it didn’t stop the self-anointed arbiters of “patriotism” from brazenly exploiting his heroic struggle against death, to decry the “lack of patriotism” of rival political parties. Even that insufferable loudmouth, Arnab Goswami outdid himself by shamelessly using his name to shout down panelists on his “Noise-Hour” programme.

Anti-national slogans by the demonstrators have to be condemned unequivocally. The actual perpetrators must be identified, their antecedents made public and appropriate action taken against them; no question about it. All political parties have in fact demanded the same, quite unambiguously.  But, the blatant attempt of the Ruling party and its ideological fraternity to deliberately confound the issue, is most disturbing.

It is reprehensible that they have used the highly objectionable slogans of a small group as a pretext to question the patriotism of all students and faculty, and tar the entire institution. Foisting sedition charges on Kanhaiya Kumar, despite his not shouting even a single anti-national slogan in the videos, merely because he was decrying the HRD Minister and the Govt on various issues, is bound to boomerang. Its cadres are using abusive language and violence against those protesting ham-handed actions of the Mighty State, which smacks of unbridled authoritarianism.

The ploy of “giving the dog a bad name and shooting it” is not new. It has been used all through the ages to neutralize those deemed inimical by the Ruling Elite. It is not confined to absolute monarchies, dictators and fascist regimes alone. Even democracies have used it, though with more finesse. J Edgar Hoover’s crusade against commies, or the suppression of anti-VietNam war groups in USA, and our own excesses during the Emergency are some examples.

However, history also shows that none of those regimes survived for long and people, howsoever weak they might have been, have prevailed ultimately. Just as the trite saying “nothing succeeds like success,” it can also be said, “nothing backfires like excess.” 

There are several signs that the Ruling party is treading dangerously in that direction. It has brazenly foisted own people in FTII, Censor Board, Think-tanks, universities and bodies that decide on curricula and textbooks. It has not reined in its leaders from making highly inflammatory statements, and it has drowned out voices that sought to protest intolerance. It has stubbornly refused action against senior leaders facing serious corruption charges and has misused the office of Governors. In fact it is doing all those things that it had accused the Congress regimes of, and for which they were punished by the people. It would be a pity if the Ruling party were to meet the same fate.   

Farewell – My Countrymen

Farewell my countrymen, may you ever prosper.

Am so grateful for your prayers, though in vain;

But do not despair;

Am much better off in my new domain.

Better to go in a blaze of glory, serving the Motherland;

Than end up a vegetable; a burden on all.

Nor did I fancy retiring, with struggles galore,

Seeing the woeful plight of veterans,

Agitating valiantly for our rights and honour.

Grateful too for the PM’s gracious visit,

Despite his onerous chores.

Regret couldn’t stand up and salute,

And apologize for the blushes caused,

In surviving his tributes to us - the fallen.

Those who told him, ‘there is no hope’,

Should have known better.

Comrades would dig even with bare hands

Till the last remains are found.

I humbly urge the powers that be, follow the Global norm,

Don’t sound “the last post” till one is actually gone.

Soldiers yearn for decorations and gallantry awards,

Fills them and their ‘paltan’ with pride.

And if one has to go,

What better way than draped in Tricolour.

Having received immense love and adulation,

There’s nothing more I can ask for.

My only regret is, had I known what awaits me,

Would’ve bid my family a more befitting farewell.  

Where I am, I’m beyond needs or pain.

But not so with the dear ones I leave behind.

I request that their dues be promptly paid,

Whatever little our poor country can afford.

My wife is a simple, uneducated village lady,

Who knows not the intricacies of Babudom.

My daughter, too young to comprehend what’s happened,

Will cry out when with hunger she’s overcome.

Please be aware their pain will torment me, 

Regardless, wherever I am.

I urge you therefore, my dear countrymen,

Do not let an insensitive and uncaring system

Compound the miseries of the kin of martyrs,

That regularly turn up in flag-draped coffins.

“Enough is enough”

It has been so painful to watch visuals of Veterans and Veer Naris sitting on a dharna outside the residence of FM Jaitley, the whole day and late into the cold winter night. It smacks of utter indecency, insensitivity and arrogance that he did not bother to meet them, even though a fortnight earlier he had promised to revert to them within a week. It is even more shameful and despicable that Delhi Police did not permit other veterans to bring them food and blankets, obviously at his bidding.  

Our hearts go out to all those aged, infirm, and yet so indomitable veterans and ladies who have been carrying on with our struggle for justice on behalf of the entire veterans family. Even though many of us are unable to join them, being located outside Delhi, we fully share their anguish, anger and sense of humiliation.

Our struggle has gone on for over 200 days, but the Govt. has brazenly ignored it. Instead it has planted misinformation, clamped down upon media coverage, and quite shortsightedly even sowed divisions within our ranks, disregarding the irreparable harm that would cause to the very fabric of the Armed Forces. It is hardly a secret that Jaitley, goaded on by Babudom, is cussedly thwarting a just resolution, as retribution for his electoral defeat. His arrogance and myopia are driving veterans into a corner, and there is clear and present danger of an imminent showdown. 

It is high time that PM intervenes and brings us back from the precipice. He had received overwhelming support from the Defence Forces fraternity during the Lok Sabha polls, and he should not let that goodwill be eroded further.  

Name me one country in the world where Veterans have had to come out on the streets to demand justice. In the Indian context, it is unprecedented for a struggle to go on for over 200 days in an absolutely disciplined and peaceful manner, despite provocations. But, time has now come to say – “enough is enough”.  We cannot let elderly veterans and veer-naris suffer any more indignities, hardship and neglect at the hands of a callous Govt. There is no need to explain anything further to the Govt., media or public. Issues are crystal clear and our contention has been approved by two Lok Sabhas.

The selfless patriotism of the Armed Forces has never been in doubt – we have demonstrated it time and again during wars, counter-insurgency operations, riots and civil disturbances and natural calamities. Republic Day is an occasion when the entire Nation watches with immense pride the Armed Forces in their full ceremonial regalia. The Beating of the Retreat, which marks the end of Republic Day celebrations, should also mark the end of our self-imposed restraint if the Govt. continues to be unyielding.  Martyrs Day the following morning would be an appropriate occasion for us to launch the next phase of our struggle from the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Bungling and NOT Bad Luck

The entire Nation mourns the martyrdom of seven valiant soldiers who died fighting with utmost courage and fortitude. They ended up paying with their lives, NOT BECAUSE OF “THEIR BAD LUCK,” but for lapses and self-serving egotism right up the hierarchy. The HM-NSA duo, driven by hubris and turf considerations, (mis)applied distantly-located NSG, rather than utilizing battle-hardened troops right next door, which as per extant SOPs are always earmarked and undertake frequent rehearsals.  

 Will those responsible for this national embarrassment be held accountable? Oh No!  In the prevailing culture of scant public morality that is too much to ask. It’s true, heads did roll in the aftermath of 26/11, but they did not leave on their own volition; they were forced out kicking and screaming. Will that happen this time? Not likely.

Were it not for the tragic loss of valuable lives, one could have dubbed the overall response at the top echelons, bumbling and comical. The irony of Rajnath Singh and even the FM, Jaitley waxing eloquent on the airbase attack, with Parrikkar and Sushma Swaraj almost silent, despite the military and diplomatic implications being their domain, is not lost to observers at home and abroad. There are several troubling questions and signs, which have been extensively highlighted. The nefarious politician-smuggler-police nexus in Punjab has rendered the border porous. ISI is exploiting the growing disaffection among veterans and serving soldiers on a host of issues such as pay, pensions, working conditions, and the plight of Veer Naris and disabled soldiers. Soldiers are being increasingly deployed for sundry tasks (now reportedly for cleaning up the Ganges) for which the Civil Administration is well-equipped. This is at the expense of their training and well-earned respite after field area deployments.

Everyone knows where the problems lie, and what the solutions are. There is no dearth of expert committee reports. For instance, the Subrahmanyam and the Naresh Chandra committees among others had made very sound recommendations on the National Security apparatus, and the entire gamut of issues relating to multiagency coordination of intelligence and operations. But again the bureaucracy succeeded in stalling them, and let their parochial interests triumph over National Security. What’s the point of wasting so much time, effort and expense on such committees if they are ultimately to be consigned to cold storage.

It is time for the Nation to say, “Enough is enough.” Let this terror strike be a wake-up call. It is high time the PM shows firmness and resolve to bring some tangible coherence in policies and actions at the top. He has expended a lot of political capital on his overture to Nawaz Sharif, which this terror attack has eroded substantially. He can retrieve it somewhat by being visibly decisive and strong in putting the house in order, and not appear to be dithering as his predecessor.

Pathankot Attack – Some Troubling Questions

Even as I write this, the operation to neutralize Pakistani terrorists and to sanitize Pathankot Airbase is still on, although ironically the Home Minister had announced its “success” over 12 hours back. His singing the all-too-familiar paeans to the “brave jawans” and promising a “muh tor jawab,” were not-so-subtle, self-laudatory signals to the Nation that a catastrophe had been averted under his watch, since both the PM and RM were away. In distant Bengaluru, the PM too briefly acknowledged their valour and then resumed extolling the virtues of Yoga.  However, the RM was silent, perhaps self-effacingly, despite most forces involved being his responsibility.  

Do I sound cynical and angry? You bet; I am. To any soldier, serving or retired loss of lives cuts too close. It is personal. Why? Because all of us have seen at very close quarters what it really means for the grieving family and to the unit. Perfunctory lip-service by Netas on such occasions actually infuriates, rather than provide solace. Because, by now we all know how little the soldiers’ sacrifices and hardships mean to the Netas and Babus alike. Haven’t we all seen how the DESW actually torments the NOK and ESM, rather than work for their welfare? Is there a more glaring spectacle for the Nation’s conscience to behold, than the Govt ignoring the ESM’s protest at Jantar Mantar for the past 200 days? (Continued…..  For the complete post, click the link below to my Blog).   

Except for raising some glaring inconsistencies, I will not cover any operational aspects for obvious reasons. Those would certainly be examined and analyzed in depth by the units and formations concerned once the dust settles down. Nonetheless, the following points will seem odd even to any casual observer:

•    If indeed there was an intelligence alert, how did heavily armed terrorists sneak in through the same route of ingress as in the recent Dina Nagar attack?
•         How did they manage to sneak in, when this sector is supposed to be closely monitored, given that it is a known route of drug smugglers?
•         To what extent the politician-police-drug smuggler nexus leave this sector vulnerable to their ingress?
•        How was the SSP travelling in an expensive SUV reportedly with a jeweller, without his usual escort paraphernalia, in a remote area in the dead of night?
•        The terrorists reportedly homed on to the drain, which was a known vulnerable point, to enter the Airbase. Why was it not under greater surveillance, given that there was already an intelligence alert?   

I want to focus more upon the apparent ad-hocism in the Govt’s policy towards Pakistan and the terrorism that emanates from it. This on-now and off-now policy is quite perplexing, especially to the soldiers at the fore-front of this fight. Politicians on both sides of the political divide are squarely to blame. Their rhetoric, whether as the Ruling party or Opposition, is utterly irresponsible.

So, if Sushma Swaraj whilst in Opposition taunts that Jawans should bring 10 heads for every soldier decapitated, as the EAM she has to sing a different tune when the PM decides to launch his charm offensive.  Likewise, Sharm-el-Sheik was an inexcusable blunder by Manmohan Singh, but PM Modi’s sudden detour to Lahore and that too within just weeks of thundering that “terrorism and talks can’t go together” is supposed to be an “innovative out-of-the-box” diplomatic coup.

Politicians’ pre-election rhetoric is even more irresponsible. Whether it were the Lok Sabha polls or the recent elections in Bihar, there were outrageous statements by Netas, which were very polarizing and inflammatory and caused immense harm to our social fabric. The biggest problem with rhetoric is that while it is easy to scale up, it is very difficult to tone it down, and it invariably leaves permanent scars.

Most strategic experts and even the general populace agree that problems between India and Pakistan cannot be resolved through war and ultimately those have to be resolved through talks. It is also well appreciated that elements in Pakistan would go all out to sabotage any reconciliation, and that contingency has to be factored into the talks process. But, any astute strategist would also assert that talks should not be from a position of weakness. Furthermore, any terrorist strike should not bring the talks process back to Square One, and that there should be a Plan B. But, does the NDA Govt have a Plan B? Its track record of flip-flops and alternately blowing hot and cold does not indicate so.  

Let us Restore Civility to Our Public Discourse

Why has our Public Discourse become so intemperate, offensive, and abusive? TV debates have been reduced to slanging bouts, wherein even s0-called mature adults try to outshout others and unabashedly hurl insults at them. Shockingly, even women are no exception and many of them frequently resort to heckling to drown out opponents’ voices. Hardly anyone can endure, for instance, the daily tamasha that Arnab Goswami presides over. His verbosity, pretentious rants, and self-laudatory boasts can leave any sane person infuriated. I often wonder, what is Vineet Jain’s compulsion to retain him, despite his antics. Regrettably, even other channels are catching the same bug, and rational, level-headed discussions are becoming a rarity.

Social media interactions fare even worse. One cannot but cringe at the extent of abuse and insults hurled at each other, when people run out of logical counter-arguments. Either one must have a foolish sense of bravado or the hide of a rhino to venture into the filthy quagmire of the current public discourse. No wonder most people desist from joining any discussion, whether on social media or even in personal interactions – such is the prevailing level of intolerance.

Unarguably, politicians and their recklessly polarizing electoral politics lie at the root of this malaise. While the steady decline has been evident for several years, the 2-3 years preceding the landmark 2014 Lok Sabha poll virtually marked its nadir. The troll brigades, initially deployed by the ultra-right and later countered by other parties, vitiated the atmosphere irreparably. While their condemnation of various acts of omission and commission by UPA 2 was politically legitimate, the spate of communally-surcharged articles, posts, and commentaries were irresponsible and reprehensible.

The gullible public was sought to be enlightened about the ‘Grand Design’ of Islam to tilt the demographic balance in India and elsewhere by citing dubious, purportedly academic studies. Likewise, a plethora of posts sought to educate us about the Muslim ancestry of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty; even going to the extent of asserting that Sanjay Gandhi was not fathered by Feroze Gandhi. Not to be outdone, the rival troll brigade played up the Gujarat riots, and the consequent visa denial by USA and other western nations to embarrass the BJP’s prime-ministerial candidate, Modi.

Even some top politicians on both sides of the political divide, who should have been more circumspect and statesmen-like, set highly reproachable examples. Thus, while Sonia Gandhi was repeatedly called derogatory names such as ‘Italian waitress’, Modi was called ‘maut ka saudager’. It is unlikely that such rhetoric actually influenced people to change their voting preferences. What those deplorable statements did instead was to polarize people, and drag public discourse to the very depths of indecent, hurtful, and damaging acrimony.

Our penchant for pronouncing instant subjective judgments on any topic, without due deliberation, also inhibits sensible and balanced discussion. We tend to paint everything in either black or white, whereas in the real world there are only varying shades of grey. For instance, depending upon one’s political persuasion Modi is sought to be projected either as the long-awaited messiah, or the devil incarnate. The truth obviously lies in between. It is fashionable these days to blame Nehru for everything that afflicts India. True, he did make mistakes as regards J&K and China, but he also laid the foundation of truly democratic institutions, and a strong industrial base in sectors where private sector was unwilling or unable to invest. Several Pakistani academics and professionals have publicly lamented that Jinnah did not survive long enough and they did not have the type of leadership that Nehru provided in the early years after Independence.  

Likewise, while Indira Gandhi is rightly blameworthy for the Emergency and Op Blue Star, she did provide astute and strong leadership leading to the creation of Bangladesh. No less a person than Vajpayee paid her tributes in Parliament by likening her to Goddess Durga. So why can’t we discuss each issue objectively and dispassionately, rather than viewing them through tinted glasses and rush to judgment?

Honest and balanced debates are the very essence of a democratic polity and a truly free society. That ideal stands marred today by the prevailing shrill, acrimonious, polarizing, and abusive discourse. Most people are reluctant to voice their opinions candidly for fear of being trolled and abused on social media. We need to wrest that space back and restore its dignity.

This blog is a small step in that direction. I therefore encourage you to freely contribute to discussions on this forum, and to even initiate discussions on any topic of national, societal or military interest that you deem fit. You can rest assured that all honest opinions will be welcome and published. At the same time as the Moderator I will ensure that contributors are not exposed to offensive tirades and polemical content is filtered out.

Operation Jantar Mantar

The Paperback version of my book, 'Operation Jantar Mantar', is now also available along with its eBook version at Amazon.in. (Double-click the link below). 

Amazon.in/Jantar Mantar

Synopsis

A small group of retired military officers from the Indian Armed Forces come together to contribute to the ongoing struggle of Veterans for honour and justice. It is virtually a rollercoaster ride for them as they respond to a series of sudden and unexpected developments. By re-strategizing and nimbly executing course-corrections, they bounce back after each challenging situation right up to a dramatic climax. 

The book is entirely a work of fiction, and should not be extrapolated therefore to the events, or to actual persons connected with the agitation of veterans at Jantar Mantar. 

The author served in the Indian Army for 31 years, and took voluntary retirement in 1997 in the rank of Brigadier General. He completed his PhD in Strategy and International Management in 2001 from the University of Texas at Dallas. Since then he has taught at the University of Texas at Dallas, Oakland University in Michigan, and Old Dominion University in Norfolk. 

My memoir, 'He Opens another Door' was published in 2013.

'Complex Interdependence'

Complex interdependence characterizes the 21st Century world wherein geopolitical, economic and national security dimensions are more intertwined than ever before in history.  The inordinate increase in terrorist strikes worldwide, and the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate that purportedly will transcend national boundaries, threaten the extant world order. Likewise, the increasing socio-economic divide and unrest within countries, along with religious polarization in countries with sizeable Muslim populations, also have international ramifications in today's interconnected world. Hence, the canvas of topics under discussion on this blog will be wide, notwithstanding its India-centric focus. This blog seeks to promote candid and meaningful exchange of views, but without getting unduly polemical and offensive, which unfortunately characterizes most public discourse these days.