The Chinese Betrayal 2.0
For the past one week, the Opposition has been demanding that the Government come out with the truth about the developments in the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and present the facts before the country. The Centre has been trying to portray that the situation in the Indo-Chinese border is normal by issuing statements and trying to conceal the fact that talks were held on June 6 between the armies of India and China to ease the escalating tensions. In fact, the Defence Ministry went a step further and stated that both the countries had taken a decision to withdraw their armed forces from the border in a phased manner. When the country has been spending anxious moments over the border situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have taken the people into confidence and provided a clear picture about the developments. Instead, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister have been issuing provocative statements about PoK but have kept the country in the dark about the developments around LAC in the Ladakh region. Now, the country has come face-to-face with the brutal truth about the actual situation in the border.
Making a mockery of the government’s statements that ‘border talks have been successful’ is the death of 20 Indian soldiers in clashes with the Chinese army. At the same time, government sources are claiming that about 45 Chinese soldiers have either died or injured but no official word is out about this. The death of 45 Chinese soldiers should not make us take the death of 20 Indian soldiers lightly. Perhaps, this is the second heinous attack on our soldiers in the Modi regime. Capturing one terrorist in Pulwama cost us 45 Indian Jawans, whereas 20 Indian soldiers have now died in clashes with the Chinese army. The prevailing situation in the border is a grim reminder of the Kargil war. If Pakistan was responsible for the casualties then, today Chinese aggression has led to the deaths of Indian soldiers.
The unprovoked aggression of China against India as well as its hatred against India is not new and has a long history with several dimensions. China has constantly provoked India by trying to claim its rights over Arunachal Pradesh. It has large tracts of land that belongs to India and has under its control the region around Manas Sarvoar that has an emotional connect with India. Also, China has repeatedly tested India’s patience by pushing its army into the Indian territory. At the same time, the restraint that India has shown towards China is remarkable. Though China has provoked India several times in the past, India has eased the situation by showing maturity and patience. However, it seems China is now in a hurry to make use of the opportunity that India has provided by taking several hasty decisions. Coming out of its stand of being non-aligned and showing its absolute loyalty to the United States has resulted in India becoming the enemy of those opposed to the US. At the same time, the US has not adopted the same attitude of being ‘a friend’ of India which India has repeatedly announced and projected it to be. The way the US responded to India’s refusal to export medicines for Corona reflects its attitude towards India. It appears to be merely ‘using’ India in the present globalized world. If India had not sold itself but tried to establish a relationship of being a dignified ally, India would not have had to face such an uncomfortable situation internationally. Today, India has neither a solid foreign policy nor seasoned leaders who can interact with leaders of other countries in a matured way.
The image of the country took a beating after India breached the LOC on the pretext of surgical strikes and the subsequent public statements issued by our leaders. Breaching LOC of another country and publicly lauding itself for doing so does not reflect political maturity. All governments perform such acts wily nily, but do not publicize their actions. But India tried to project the surgical strikes as an achievement and tried to regain lost ground after the Pulwama attacks. These strikes created tension among the neighboring countries.
In the midst of these developments, however, India tried to strengthen its relations with China with several Chinese leaders visiting India twice and India treating them with affection and dignity. Prime Minister Modi also visited China and his government handed over several important projects to Chinese companies. It took several decisions to facilitate business relations with China. In fact, the project of ‘Vallabhbhai Patel’ statue – a symbol of unity of India – was implemented by a Chinese company. Scoffing at the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharath’ slogan of the Prime Minister, the Delhi-Meerut mega underpass project was given to a Chinese company. But China seemed to have tossed everything aside by adopting a belligerent stand towards India. This is the second installment in a series of Chinese betrayals of India that started with its betrayal of Nehru.
Before taking on China diplomatically, the Modi government should first take into confidence the people of the country. The government should go back on its decisions such as its policy on Kashmir, Citizenship Amendment Act , or National Registry of Citizens that don’t play any role in the development of the country but are detrimental to the country’s harmony. Prime Minister Modi should also stop his ‘one-man show’ ‘’ and work with the Opposition and address the problems facing the country. Bilateral talks and not war is the answer to the present problem. It is not sensible for India that has already suffered an economic blow due to the lockdown to find itself in a situation of going to war with a strong country such as China. Taking a few steps backwards now would help us take strong steps forward in the future.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
