Surgical strike day: Let’s not make mockery of sacrifice by army
It is imperative that we remember the sacrifices our soldiers made, even as we hail the accomplishments of modern day India. If the nation has been able to stand shoulder to shoulder with many other strong countries post-independence, the main reason for this is the most noble form of sacrifice made by our soldiers. One of the most significant achievements of modern India is that its army has never interfered with democracy. Both segments have maintained a good distance between each other.
Defence forces has working to maintain democracy, and this is what sets India apart from Pakistan. Army has won many wars after India achieved independence. Kargil was out biggest feat. Army ensured the country didn’t have to spare even an inch of land in the disputed area. The defence forces freed Bangladesh from Pakistan when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. They come up with new strategies to defeat the enemies and safeguard the interest of our nation. All such operations remain a closely guarded secret and never publicized. And it is not even wise to publicise them given the fact that army and national security is of prime importance.
Ever since Modi became the PM, accusations of politics interfering with army and its working have been heard from early days. The army heads have been embarrassed enough in the recent times owing to unnecessary statements made by union ministers. Surgical strike, claimed to be done by the army two years ago, had also created similar controversy for having killed terrorists in a flash operation by crossing over into the enemy side. But this is a normal course of work for the army. All other countries usually keep this a top secret than an issue of public consumption. The government tried to project this as some high level accomplishment after failing to stop terrorist attacks in Kashmir. Even if army did carry out such an operation, what is govt’s role in this? Why would the govt even claim credit for this job? Unfortunately, a very common defence operation was projected like a massive war victory and the defence minister held a press conference and dedicated this triumph to the people of RSS!
An outfit that had no role in Indian independence, and is responsible for most communal clashes without having to contribute any bit for the surgical strike, was given the credit of an operation that should have been the crowning glory of the defense forces. This way, the government humiliated the sacrifices made by the army.
Where was RSS when India won war against Pak, to free Bangladesh? How did it figure at the time of surgical strike, per se? At a time when terrorism has reached its peak in Kashmir, central government is going to celebrate Sep 29 as surgical strike day. A circular has been issued by the UGC to all universities and higher education institutions from the govt. A huge question remains as to how this would pan out in the future with regard to educational roadmap. All institutions understand this is a direct instruction by the government. The most funny thing is UGC is now supposed to answer questions regarding surgical strike and its impact on the country. If UGC feels these questions need not be answered, we will soon have to celebrate Modi day in Doklam. Also, a demonetization day to celebrate eradication of black money, along with GST day!
In all, this is an example of how the central government is interfering in higher education. If it is indeed true that the terrorist camps along the border were destroyed in a flash strike, we have to remain indebted to the army for having the chink in the armour to do so. If it was a success, who is continuing attack on our army in Kashmir now? Terrorism should have come to a standstill with this. But the continued attacks speak a different truth altogether. When this is the case, should the universities celebrate a ‘surgical strike’ day at all? Yes. We need to remember the sacrifices made by our soldiers and army. All the wars we won, and all the freedom we have has to be indebted to our defence forces. But instead of all this, if we begin to celebrate a surgical strike, it would be an insult to the army and misuse of UGC funds.
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Rahul Gandhi joins Haryana Congress leader's 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram
Gurugram (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday joined the 'Sadbhav Yatra' of Haryana Congress leader Brijendra Singh here.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached Gurugram in the evening and joined the yatra. He also walked some distance with Brijendra, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh and other leaders.
Huge crowds had turned up for the occasion.
Later, Gandhi proceeded to the venue where he addressed a public gathering.
Leader of Opposition in Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, B K Hariprasad, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh, were also present.
Brijendra Singh had on Thursday said it is a matter of joy for them that Gandhi was joining the 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram-Badshahpur, "thereby strengthening the Indian National Congress' campaign for brotherhood and harmony".
The 'Sadbhav Yatra' began from Danoda village at Narwana in Jind on October 5, 2025, and has covered 85 of the 90 assembly segments in the state.
The foot march was started by Brijendra Singh, son of Congress veteran Birender Singh, to highlight several national and regional issues.
State Congress chief Rao Narender Singh had asked all party leaders to take part in Friday's event.
Days before his yatra began in October, Brijendra Singh, who narrowly lost the 2024 assembly polls from Jind's Uchana Kalan, accused the ruling BJP of playing "divisive politics" and said that "sadbhav" (harmony) has come under stress in the last decade.
Brijendra Singh was a sitting MP from Hisar for the BJP when he resigned ahead of the 2024 general election and switched over to the Congress. He also alleged that the saffron party creates a wedge in society to achieve its political purpose.
The 'padyatra' has so far covered 85 assembly constituencies in Haryana, traversing more than 2,700 kilometres.
Addressing the public gathering, Brijendra Singh said the yatra is inspired by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he took the party's vision and values directly to the people of the country.
Singh said the yatra has highlighted issues like "Vote Chori" (vote theft), unemployment, poor law and order situation, agrarian distress, and issues related to government employees, labourers and traders.
"Sadbhav (harmony) and bhaichara (brotherhood), which the BJP is attempting to weaken, are the messages of this yatra," he said, adding that its slogan is "Congress ka haath bhaichara ka saath".
"This yatra is a natural extension of the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Brijendra Singh said.
