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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Speaker rules out discussion on Guv''s conduct amid K''taka Assembly standoff
Bengaluru (PTI): In an effort to end the logjam over the Governor's address that has stalled proceedings for the past week, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday ruled that legislators should not discuss Thaawarchand Gehlot or his conduct in the house, saying such debates send the wrong message to the public.
The House has witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments since the session began on January 22 over the issue of the governor's conduct.
During his address to the joint sitting of the Karnataka legislature on January 22, Gehlot read out only three sentences from the 122-paragraph speech prepared by the state government.
The speech included criticism of the Centre for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), portions of which the governor declined to read.
Concluding his address in about two minutes, the governor left the house, triggering a commotion as Congress legislators attempted to gherao him and raised slogans.
While the opposition BJP accused the ruling Congress and its ministers of "insulting" the governor and demanded action, the treasury benches countered by claiming the governor had "insulted the National Anthem by leaving before it was played."
The house again witnessed heated arguments on the issue earlier in the day, leading to adjournment.
During the interruption, Khader held a meeting with ministers and opposition members to resolve the impasse.
When proceedings resumed, the speaker delivered his ruling.
Referring to the events of January 22 and the subsequent debate, Khader said the conduct and discussions had conveyed the wrong message to the public.
"Our conduct as members of this House and the opinions expressed must be in good taste and in accordance with constitutional provisions. They must uphold the dignity of the House and its members. We must introspect in this direction," he said.
He stressed the need for caution to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
"Let us end this matter here, continue the discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor, and refrain from discussing the governor or his conduct in this house," the speaker said.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the house should express regret over what he termed an "insult" to the governor.
Responding, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the situation would not have arisen had the governor read out the entire address.
"Asking the house to express regret is not appropriate. Why did the governor leave even before the National Anthem was played," Siddaramaiah asked.
BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar reminded Siddaramaiah that as Leader of the Opposition in 2011, he had asked then Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj to curtail his address.
Bhardwaj had subsequently placed the address on the table of the house, requesting members to treat it as read.
Siddaramaiah said the situation in January 2011 was different from the present one.
The debate grew intense, leading to another adjournment of the house.
