A tragic hero called Parrikar
In days when emotions run high and melodrama defines politics, the country has lost a very astute gentleman and a simple leader for a politician. Parrikar was known for his simplicity and uncomplicated personality in political circles. At a time when educational qualification is not a must as far as becoming leaders in BJP is concerned, Parrikar had this rare credit of being the first IIT graduate to become a chief minister of a state.
Though he had RSS background, he never resorted to communally instigating speeches when addressing people. He was aware of the fact that he cannot run a state like Goa that is hugely dependent on tourism based on staunch Hindutva propagandist. Which is why he never gave emotional speeches on beef consumption.
He could manage his administration without banning beef while BJP did politics around beef in all other states. He knew that banning beef would have counter effects on Goa tourism and livelihoods. Parrikar was the main reason behind BJP retaining its identity in Goa. He turned into a national leader with Goa as his base. But his plans to become a national leader didn't bear fruit. Having made Modi's showmanship and loud rhetorics as it's hallmark, this country claimed the life of a simple leader such as Parrikar finally.
When he returned to Goa after a stint in national politics, the stains of allegations of misdoings of Modi's decisions were stuck to him permanently. He finally left the world with those blots on him. A man with clean record without any charges of corruption, he had to carry the blame of Rafael owing to Modi and his friend Anil Ambani on his shoulders. This bothered him a lot and that caused him to shun national politics as defence minister and return to Goa for good.
He could not manage the post of defence minister despite being a statesman . He carried the blame of wrong decisions of Modi Government regarding China and Kashmir. Terrorism increased and our soldiers were attacked repeatedly during his term as defence minister. China started border problems around the same time. Terrorists launched a gruesome attacked on our soldiers in Uri during those days. Parrikar also had to carry the blame of surgical strikes being used for politics for the first time. Army conducts operations often by crossing the border sometimes, and no country will declare it openly to admit it.
Indian army has done this in the past. But this is internal to the army and not related to politics of the country. Army keeps it a secret because it compromises India's position in international arena. But having been humiliated by the terrorist attack in Uri, the government held a press conference addressed by the army officers themselves. This was a shocking interference of politics into country's army. Parrikar went even a step further and attributed the credit of this attack to RSS. He failed to explain the link between Indian army and RSS. The biggest charge of having used the army for politics followed him to the end of his life.
Whether terrorists had died in surgical strike or not, the terrorist attack repeated in Kashmir a little while later. Kashmir began to burn. At the same time, Anil Ambani's illegal involvement in Rafael came to the forefront. Parrikar failed to take the pressure exerted by the situation. Around this time, Congress got highest number of seats in Goa. Having been thinking of leaving the central ministry Parrikar used this as a pretext and returned to Goa. He managed to become the CM of Goa again without allowing Cong to form the government. It raised a question about his commitment to the country at a time when he returned to Goa when the situation in the border was getting complicated with every passing day.
The defence portfolio remained vacant for a long time after he left. One does not know whether he had any direct role to play in Rafale deal, but he possessed a whole lot of inside information about this. He could have spoken the truth considering country's welfare during his last days. But he proved that RSS and BJP were bigger than the country. His decision to stay put in the chair of CM even when cancer had advanced inside his body was massively criticised. Goa government functioned from the ICU mostly. Opposition leaders said Parrikar staying put to his chair has something to do with Rafael. Parrikar is a classic case of how politics can consume a good person even before cancer can. A simple statesman is lost now.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
