“Defence Minister credits the RSS for the surgical strikes”, read a headline of the prominent social media page with a link that directed the reader to their blog. The caption of the post read
“Since when did RSS start training Indian army!” As one of the nationalist who is genuinely concerned about the well-being of this country and closely following Mr Parrikar in particular, I was let down by his comment, which is said to be made while addressing ‘Know Your Army’ event at the Nirma University campus.
Wait! His comment? Read on!
I quickly followed the link to find more and since it came from a ‘viral’ page, there was no reason to discard it! Manohar Parrikar, the badass minister has actually credited RSS for teaching army how to carry out the Surgical Strikes. Unbelievable! For any man with a little of patriotism alive in him, such comments were demeaning not just for the valour of the Indian Army but the entire nation.
However, I still looked out for more! Almost all the sources present on the internet propagated the same agenda. By now, our worthy Defence Minister was slowly making it to the hit list of the criticism until I found a video posted by ANI
And things from here were crystal clear. If you are still thinking what just happened? Let me quickly introduce you to the same!
It is genuine that by now you have uttered few, not so kind, words for the man in power and it is not you who are to be blamed. We all remember how PM was lauded by Mr Minister for the Surgical Strikes which were carried out on the launch pads of terror in the PoK.
This time too, the man of credibility did not fail to mention similar words for the much-deserved action on the enemies of the nation. In the original comment, Parrikar said,
“Prime Minister from the village of Mahatma Gandhi, a Defence Minister from the state of Goa which has a history of martial race and the Surgical Strikes. Maybe the RSS thinking was in the core. But this was quite….very different kind of combination.”
While he pointed at the serene origin of two of the top men behind this action, he appreciated the values of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It is to be acknowledged that both the gentlemen are from the RSS background and have served at different positions in the Sangh before making an impact in the active politics. The point was to appreciate the decision-making ability which both the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister developed at the organisation.
The results of these values in the core can be seen well in the states of Goa and Gujarat and now in Delhi where this duo is leaving no stone unturned to make India an impregnable fortress aiming at the times to see, when it comes to defence.
Now let us derive a contrast of how few media houses just picked the words of their choices and moulded the sentences to profess the respective political agendas. While the man himself never demeaned the determination presented by the India Army, our kind media houses went into manipulations too early!
What is the basis of the comment I just made?
Well, in the same address at the Nirma University, Mr Parrikar also said that befitting reply has been given to any sort of suspected activity and the ceasefire violation at the LoC and International Border.
To be precise, he mentioned “Violations are regularly taking place for the last five-six years, you can take out figures. But the only thing that has changed now is that we are giving an effective reply,”
Again, it is not that we are entitled to blindly follow what minister tries to preach us! Researching a little more, the statistics from the Defence Ministry were in sync with the statement and this is what makes him the man of his words.
Following this series, Manohar Parrikar stood by the Indian Army in the best possible way he should as he commented “From the day of strike till today, some politicians are seeking proof. When the Indian Army says something, we should believe it. It (Army) is the world’s best, professional, brave and having a very high integrity. I do not feel that anybody will seek proof from them (Army) here in Ahmedabad.”
Now, do you see that how quickly the shift of “core values of RSS in me and PM” to “RSS taught Indian army” impacted the mind of any reader? While the opposition is criticising this statement for the seems to have no better things to do after ruining the country, let us interact over one of the basic strategic question based on the hierarchy of this Indian System.
Yes, the Indian Army shall never be doubted. Yes, we shall never be blindly entitled to any political entity. But going by the legal hierarchy system, the reports can be prepared by the best of the bureaucrats, the finest men must be carrying their jobs at the Intelligence, the bravest soldiers are guarding this motherland, the top brains are the advisors to the executive and the legislature but can any of those decisions be executed without the nod of the Prime Minister? Can any of the warfare and related issues proceed without the prior permission of the Defence Minister?
Are you feeling the heat? Do you realise the hidden agenda behind demeaning a down to earth man with no political background and no political heir serving the nation selflessly? One who is bold enough to take the decisions in favour of the nation! Is it incorrect to acknowledge the organisation where you learnt it all from? No!
And, oh! Do not blindly accept the points I made, do verify them. Not for anyone but you!
More power to you, Mr Parrikar. Long Live Indian Army!