DEFENCE CONCERNS: HOLY
COW!?
In general in our country,
and not only in our country, defence/security matters are treated as a
sacrosanct holy cow and to comment adversely is considered a virtual sin.
Especially ever since the current communal and corrupt government has come to
power and devastating the country since the last four years, military exploits
and personnel imageries are blown out of proportions and a sort of cult of
reverence is being built around them. As such any caustic criticism of the
inner affairs of the defence wings and the government’s undue catering to it are
seen as a grave offence to public interest and morals. However, as Lt. Genl.
Harwant Singh, who frequently writes in Indian Defence Review, has so succinctly
put it: “It may be argued that military is a mere reflection of society at large.
A society where corruption is rampant, right across the national spectrum and
is accepted and even respected. When cheating and ill discipline is all
pervasive, military could not remain unaffected. After all army draws its
manpower from the same stock.” That’s why we find some of the largest corruption scams in our country
in defence matters. An Italian Appeals Court in 2016 found the involvement of a
former Air Force Chief and ruling party leaders of the UPA regime in the Augusta
Westland helicopters purchase deal corruption case, though no charges of guilt seem
to have been specifically established. The furore created by the Bofors scam is
well-known and that was used as a potent propaganda weapon by the current
ruling party, when it was in opposition. But the same party is now furiously denying
the huge corruption allegations in the Rafale Jet Planes deal and even
counterattacking critics, and more recently has concluded another doubtful
S-400s Air Defence system purchase deal with Russia in a cavalier manner.
Though a lot of discussion goes on about the Rafale Corruption scam in which about
40000 crores of public moneys are said to be gulped, it is a matter of surprise
that nobody, even the opposition parties, seem to be any much concerned about
the show of these S-400s purchase deal. Actually, this could have more
dangerous consequences for our economy and security interests because of the
probable severe sanctions by the American bullies. Moreover, is there any real
need to be world’s biggest importer of arms and spend thousands of crores for
all these weapons of destruction and whether the same funds could not be
devoted to provide better infrastructure, free education, comfortable housing
and above all free and excellent public health care for all? No discussion and
debate worth the name appear anywhere. §§§
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