It is a national shame that one Colonel and 19 soldiers have been killed in action while many more injured in a “fist and club” non-military action with the Chinese PLA in the Galwan River Valley. There are unconfirmed reports of 43 PLA casualties.
Ironically, it was at Galwan River Valley, 80 km upstream from the current Line of Actual Control (LAC), near Samzungling, that a military confrontation took place before the 1962 war on 4 July when a platoon of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles was surrounded by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The post remained under siege thereafter and was maintained by Mi 4 helicopters. A company of 5 Jat was inducted by helicopters from 4-12 October to relieve this platoon. On 20 October, this company fought a heroic action at the Galwan post with 36 out of the total 68 soldiers being killed in action. Interestingly, the route to this post then used to be via Hot Springs- Kongka La area and not from the Shyok river. Just compare the heroic 1962 operations with the current fiasco.
The writing for the latest tragedy was on the wall. Beginning April end, the PLA had intruded at multiple points across the LAC in Eastern Ladakh with a clear strategic intent to trigger a border incident to impose China’s hegemony on India and stop further development of border infrastructure in sensitive areas, which threaten Aksai Chin.
Also read: China believes India wants Aksai Chin back. PLA has likely secured 40-60 sq km in Ladakh
Unprofessional political and military response to the crisis
The political and military response was surreal. Focus remained on domestic politics. Denial and obfuscation were the principal tools. The crisis was handled as a border management problem — a pattern we have become used to seeing after Depsang 2013, Chumar 2014 and Doklam 2017 — and not as a military operation to contest the preemptive tactical offensive undertaken by the PLA.
India missed the obvious signals: the deployment of regular PLA troops — all arms formations; build-up of reserves in the rear; precautionary build-up all along the LAC; the choice of areas of intrusion — our vulnerabilities; and seizure of the heights at places of intrusion. India’s intent was to dare and call the Chinese bluff.
But it is this approach that resulted in the horrendous spectacle of the commanding officer of a unit being clubbed to death in full view of his troops. The military hierarchy itself failed in its professional responsibility to advise the government to use force as per professional norms. The blood of these soldiers is on the hands of the government and the military hierarchy.
The 1996 border management agreement does lay down norms to exercise restraint in use of weapons during LAC confrontations. But that is an agreement for border policing in normal times and not during military operations which were ongoing in the intrusion areas. The agreement does not lay down any restrictions on carriage of weapons. Moreover, when the lives of soldiers or territory is threatened by the enemy, the commander on the spot can use all weapons at his disposal, including artillery fire. The decision to not carry weapons was deliberate and a wrong one taken by the military hierarchy, which resulted in this tragedy.
History is replete with examples wherein the disengagement process is used as a ploy to attack the enemy. “Never trust your enemy” is a principle taught to every recruit. Every child knows the story of the “Trojan Horse” in the battle of Troy. Indian Army fell prey to the design of the PLA.
Border management is distinct from border defence. The former requires linear movement and visible “flag showing” in the valleys and along the roads and tracks. The latter requires holding the dominating heights. The military violated this cardinal principle of high altitude and mountain warfare by not securing the heights either preemptively or after the intrusion.
Also read: India’s Fingers have come under Chinese boots. Denial won’t help us
Kongka La moment
Make no mistake, this is Narendra Modi’s Kongka La moment. In the 1950s, lacking in economic and military resources, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had followed the pragmatic, traditional ‘forward policy’ to flag the frontiers using the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Assam Rifles.
By 1951, India pre-empted China and secured the areas up to the McMahon Line in the Northeast using the Assam Rifles. This was a remarkable feat because until then, Tibet exercised de facto control over Tawang and parts of Lohit division. In the western sector, China pre-empted us and secured Aksai Chin and built a road through it linking Xinjiang to Tibet. However, by mid-1959, we managed to plant our ‘flag’ in all other areas using the IB and the CRPF. Most of these areas were east of present-day LAC at varying distances.
At this juncture, our police/paramilitary posts/patrols came face-to-face with the Chinese border defence units and India granted asylum to the Dalai Lama in March 1959. This led to China hardening its position and it came out with its 1959 claim line in Ladakh. Being militarily weak, the best option for India was to negotiate and accept the actual ground positions as a mutually agreed border without giving up our claims for a final settlement. However, Nehru decided to continue with the brinkmanship on the premise that war will not take place.
On 25 August 1959 at Longju, in Lohit division, the PLA took a soldier from the Assam Rifles as a prisoner of war (POW). The first violent incident took place on 21 October at Kongka La in Ladakh, where nine CRPF personnel were killed, three wounded and seven taken as POW. Until then, the goings-on at the frontier regions had been secretive and public perception was managed by denial and obfuscation.
However, the border clashes and casualties led to immense pressure from the public and in Parliament. Nehru lost his nerve and abandoned a fairly successful strategy despite China offering a status quo settlement. All his subsequent actions were panic-driven, tactical and bereft of strategic thought. Diplomacy was abandoned. The pragmatic frontier-flagging ‘forward policy’ adopted until then was replaced by a more aggressive ‘forward policy’, which actually became ‘forward movement of troops’, to call the Chinese bluff. Less by design and more by default, Nehru blundered into a military confrontation on an unfavourable terrain and with an army that was unequal for the task. Rather than calling the bluff of the Chinese, our own bluff was called.
Interestingly, Kongka La – Gogra – Hot Springs, is one of the areas of current intrusions.
Also read: PM Modi’s silence on LAC stand-off is benefiting China. India must change its script
Modi’s situation and what now
Modi’s dilemma is the same as that of Nehru. Militarily, due to a quantum jump in technology-driven capability, China has a clear edge over us. Like Nehru, PM Modi has given priority to the economy over the military. He relied upon diplomacy to handle China. Lulled by the experience of Depsang (under UPA 2), Chumar and Doklam, he approached the present crisis as a border management issue.
Misreading the situation and poorly advised by his compliant military hierarchy, Modi played a dangerous game of brinkmanship, reducing the Army to the sorry pass of operating without arms in deliberate military operations. The horrendous murder of 20 soldiers in the Galwan Valley has brought the issue in public domain. India now knows about the inept handling of the situation on the LAC, both politically and militarily.
Modi now has to take the strategic decision. There are two options. The first is to swallow the bitter pill, rely upon diplomacy, exploit the brutality of the incident that led to a large number of casualties on both sides and achieve the political aim – status quo ante April 2020 and demarcation of the LAC. In other words, extract from China what Nehru failed to accept in 1959. War is always the last resort and even a bully knows that.
The second option is to salvage national pride and fight a limited war to achieve the same political aim. Make a declared intent to localise the war in a specific area as was done during Kargil but be prepared for an escalation. Under no circumstances must we rush into a conflict/war. Vendetta and retribution are emotions that compromise clear-headed military planning. War has to be at time and place of our choice. Weather and climate play a critical role in high-altitude warfare.
Prime Minister, in this hour of reckoning, the nation stands solidly behind you and I, as a veteran, place my services at nation’s disposal. Notwithstanding the asymmetry in capability, our armed forces will deliver.
Lt Gen H S Panag PVSM, AVSM (R) served in the Indian Army for 40 years. He was GOC in C Northern Command and Central Command. Post-retirement, he was Member of Armed Forces Tribunal. Views are personal.
Wonderful
wow
Wonder what is wrong with indians. Shekhar Gupta has lost the plot completely feels like he wants China to take over Delhi
Abduction story is omitted by disciplined veteran in his article.
Very well written article. Should be educative for the younger generations and those who are not familiar with the real history. V.P.Kapur
Isn’t it amazing people who call themselves patriotic have no shame in abusing the retired army officer.
He retired as LT General and this morons is asking him about his knowledge of army and have u fought any war.
If Ur a BJP bhakt atleast have some respect for soldiers rather just barking about it.
He has written an article and u read it u can accept it or ignore it buy don’t insult a army guy who has done his bit for the country.
Morons are happy when retired army people come in arnab show and shower praise on this feku government
At that time they don’t have problem
But when some one is questioning the government policy then he is Congress chamcha cowards and deshdrohi.
Shameless bhakts
I fully agree with you, sir.
Well said, Sir.
Everybody is a genius after the fact.
What can I say..u r a military person and command respect even when my mind says u must be a traitor…U have not fought a single war , did not have courage to speak on front of congress and get military updated.
Chess is very intelligent game..it tells when to stop , when to reverse and when to fight with full force…I do believe this is not time to attack and best is to move backward few steps…which countries soldiers do not die in wars..do they behave like u especially u a military veteran…u must be a very coward person..I would have appreciated if u died in war rather than writing stupid articles here defaming the country.
At 72 the brain cells start fading, and mental faculties are on the decline, so it is no wonder HSP keeps hallucinating about Nehru and reminiscing about 1940s when he was in his knickers. After all isn’t this the hare brained fool who came up with “Operation Kabaddi” and advocating Robotic wars, aligning with mufflerwallah (clueless train wreck leading Delhi ) and other such fantasies. He needs to stop watching Bollywood movies and see a shrink pronto and stop spouting gibberish on sosha media. It is good entertainment to read his gibberish though 🙂
He has not praised Nehru but indicted and has said where he went wrong. At 72 you may not be as active as Lt. Gen Panag.
Mr NN Ramachandran: The Soda Bottle Sod above must surely be one of the many alumni of the Nagpur University of Nonsense whose Chancellor happens to be the venerable Mohan Bhagwat. I guess this Soda Bottle Sod is surely a holder of the Bachelor of Hindutva (Hons) degree from said University. Need I say more Mr NN Ramachandran ?
Crisp and savage.?
Very well said sir
Mr Nitin Handa: Why would you call a man who has served nearly 4 decades in the Armed Forces a traitor ? And why should an extremely relevant, fact based article about the inept leadership of PM Modi and his minions be regarded as defaming the country ?
Indeed, the unprofessional, incompetent leadership of MoShah has actually landed the country in deep trouble with ALL, repeat ALL its neighbours. While at the same time wrecking the economy. And yet bhakths like you are unable to read the writing on the wall. And in your glaring intellectual impotence at being unable to counter-argue with Lt. Gen. Panag an armchair warrior like you who presumably has not seen a single day of hardship in his life will use his Chinese made smartphone to denounce and defame a soldier.
Shame on you Mr Handa !
Crisp and savage.?
BJP says during Nehru’s time also we suffered and lost so what is the big deal?
This is such a sane, matter-of-factly, and a legitimate article penned by the author. I wonder as to how many of the distinguished readers here are finding fault with it and choosing to condemn it by seeing it from a political lens of “us versus them”. If they expect the entire citizenry to stand behind the PM even after this crass handling of the border crisis with China, why can’t this article be taken in the same spirit as being a genuine and an honest advice. How can we grade the citizenry on lines of the adage “everyone is equal but some are more equal than others”? All, young and old alike, are ready to die at the border for the nation, but those at the helm should reflect the feeling that they treat and trust all citizens equally. To me, this article is extremely commendable and deserves to be taken note of for deciding upon future strategies.
Fine Mr.Murdabad, but the suggestions are for whom? And Where are they being shared? Curse of Free Speech!
Your show of indecency and feeling of frustration are understandable as the PM cannot escape criticism and answerability for his reckless handling of the border crisis with China. As per great freedom fighter Tilak’s slogan, “Freedom is our birth right”, and I am sure the freedom includes freedom of speech too. You too, don’t think in a restricted manner; think freely, think sanely.
Mr/Ms NK: I am quite sure that your parents did not teach you to abuse when you had to argue. But abuse you nonetheless do for no reason other than the fact that you have been utterly unable to produce a single argument countering Mr Murtada’s comment above. Indeed, your trademarks are abuse as well as a disrespectful tone.
You do not have to agree with the views of Mr Murtada. But the very least please do write his name properly even if you cannot muster counter-arguments. After all, unlike you hiding behind initials, Mr Murtada does reveal his name, doesn’t he?
And just as your parents did not teach you to abuse despite the fact that you disregard their advice, one hopes that your own children will disregard the way in which you behave and not resort to abuse.
Thank you so much Kili Jolsiyar for your flagging off indecency in respect of Mr NK (I will not include the Ms title as normally women are not given into abuse except some controversial sadhvis, and few others whom unfortunately the PMO also follows). Your response largely compensated the unpleasant feeling that I had encountered by Mr NK’s unthinking comment and also by that of one Daboo, though the later gentleman was being true to his nick name.
NK so yours also must be a cursed speech!!!! Truth is always bitter.
Murda “SANE” and HSP do not go hand in hand. He is 72 or 73 so grey matter is getting diseased so spouts nonsense quoting from bygone era. I come here to read his gibberish and get entertained. If you treat it like a radio these message boards and free speech are a source of non stop entertainment. You can tune to a different channel if you do not like the music, so it doesn’t bother me.
What kind of journalism is this? You can’t just drink alcohol at press clubs and party with people on press releases! What do you know about China that you write such demoralising fake stories instead of news? Who is the news editor responsible for posting this piece of garbage?
Yes bro. These people are the fiction writers not journalists
Fully agree with your observation
Sir, I fully agree with your views. Political and military leadership have failed the nation. But I would put more onus on the army and military leadership. Army’s job is to defend border and to do it has to take instantaneous decisions. It seems army of 2020 is like army of 1962 that it looks for decision to its political bosses. We need generals like Sagatsinghji and general Sundarji. In 1967 we had weak government at centre but still general Sagatsinghji give bloody nose to Chinese and defended Nathu la.
Mr Harsha Saini: So what is the “real” news that you miraculously seem to know and the military doesn’t?
Fact is, inept leadership and shrill jingoism fabricated for a domestic audience hooked to Hindutva has gotten India into a dangerous situation. And rather than hold the incompetent BJP leadership and the PMO responsible for this débâcle, your ilk resorts to the same Hindutva inspired shouting matches about the greatness of India. Even as the Chinese are nibbling away at Indian territory. And the notion that any article or information talking about the sordid reality in which the country has been pushed to is fake.
Today, under the great leadership and “hugging diplomacy” of PM Modi, the country has bad relationships with every neighbour, including the only Hindu country in the world viz. Nepal. When his Delhi University education and pracharak experience leads him to believe that he is the greatest economist in the world and India’s answer to Kissinger, it is hardly surprising that he come up idiotic moves like demonetisation and finds that the Chinese are giving India a hiding at the border.
Indeed, after every clumsy and bungling foray into the realms of foreign affairs or economics, professionals have to do the clearing up after Modi has moved on to create the next disaster. After Amit Shah’s dangerous, provocative speech in Parliament that India would recover all territories held by Pakistan and China, the Chinese took note. Foreign Minister Jaishankar had to do a lot of shuttle diplomacy to Beijing to placate the Chinese that Shah was speaking to a domestic audience and that India had no intention of recovering Aksai Chin. Clearly the Chinese have not been convinced.
Not that facts will convince fantasists like you that “Akhand Bharat” is a dangerous pipe dream.
No point in trying to correct such die-hards .
You have a point there Sir !
Dear Sir,Once a soldier always a soldier and
A soldier always lives by principles .His principle is to keep NATIONAL INTEREST ahead of everything. In a crisis like this flagging personal opinion blaming govt n military hierarchy is insane. Did u shower praises URI & BALAKOT as achievement. NO right.
First of all you are not in service anymore so I really doubt your info of on ground realities though we will give your history some credibility.
Indian people have faith in MODI and Indian soldiers have faith in their hierarchy. US intelligence has confirmed 35 causalities from Chinese side you won’t highlight that one right. WAR/CONFLICT/DISPUTES in such situation MAN ON GROUND KNOWS BEST WHAT TO DO ,if u are not one and no where in sphere of influence I would rather suggest you to take stroll in morning with your pet and leave things to MEN ON GROUND. Even as per your false claims Military lacked proactive actions things are far from finished. U must understand impact on MORALE and its importance in WAR n situations like this having served in army for so long. I sincerely condemn your article as cheap popularity stunt rather than a words from concerned patriotic citizen.
I am sorry to say that we have too many Defence analysts specially retired from forces. I feel let the present defence personal handle the task. Any one who has retired from forces need not hand over his advice as he is a spent force. If he has India’s interest in mind he can personally approach the present chiefs and render any useful information.
AMIT SHAH’S “TERMITES” DEFEND INDIA
India’s Armed Forces are perhaps the last bastion left in the country where values such as secularism, selfless patriotism, brotherhood and sacrifice for the nation are espoused. Regardless of religion, region or caste, the Forces meld the men into one powerful fighting force. But do those who hold the reins of power recognise this fact ? Do the citizens of India – the vast majority of whom are Hindus – understand this supreme sacrifice that these men and women – Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians are willing to perform? Does the ruling BJP recognise and appreciate this?
Sadly, the answer must be a NO. Some examples:
Capt. Sanaullah Khan: After 30 years of service in the Armed Forces, after having seen action in Kargil and being given the President’s Medal, Captain Sanaullah Khan was sent to a Foreigner’s detention Camp in Assam. Pressure from the Forces finally secured his release. At least Amit Shah didn’t succeed in having this “termite” dumped into the Bay of Bengal.
Corp. Sartak Mohammad: Likewise, Corporal Sartaj Mohammad’s selfless service to the IAF did not ensure that his father Mohammad Akhlaq (RIP) was safe from the BJP’s lynch mob in Dadri. Indeed, an indifferent, uncaring PM Modi refused to condemn this heinous crime until the pressure was insurmountable. And then the PM shrugged off the episode with a nonchalant “Sad, but what is the fault of the Centre in this”.
In the Akhlaq tragedy it was left to the IAF to evacuate the entire family to safety. After all, a breakdown of the fighting spirit and a destruction of the camaraderie and brotherhood in the Forces was not something that could be allowed. Of course, the BJP top brass are least bothered about such details – Muslims were after all termites, to be drowned in the Bay of Bengal. Regardless of whether they risked their lives for the nation.
Thousands of Muslims serve in the Forces and are willing to lay down their lives for India. Millions of others serve the country in many other walks of life. They should be treated as equal citizens. And not be called termites.
Very well said.
The Chinese did the most horrible and cowardly thing – – of LYNCHING another brave soldier. That’s what they did to our Col. Babu and other brave colleagues of his. So far only Pakistan army was known to do such dastardly acts, mutilation of bodies etc.
The heart fills with repugnance at the very thought of it, that someone did this to our dear ones. Hindutva goons too must remember it. Akhlaq and so many others too were our own people who were killed in such horrible manner. That too, ostensibly for the safety of an animal, whom the Hindutva guys themselves leave forlorn to die on railway tracks and highways, or starve to death in gaushalas.
Mr Sanjiv Bhatla: Thanks for the response.
Although there has been no declaration of war per se between China and India, it is nonetheless tragic that the spirit of the Geneva Conventions are not being upheld in these skirmishes. And that applies to India’s conflicts with both Pakistan and China.
You refer to Pakistani’s beheading Indian soldiers and mutilating their corpses. And you very rightly call it a dastardly act. But don’t India’s soldiers do the same? I once watched a TV programme where former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Mr G Parthasarathy boasted of Indian forays into Pakistani territory and Indian soldiers returning with Pakistani heads. Now we have the same barbarism on display in the conflict with China. There are even reports of Chinese pushing wounded Indian soldiers down steep precipices and to their deaths. One hopes that the situation will get de-escalated and that there is no descent into further barbarism. On both borders and with both neighbours.
I guess as the son of a former IAF officer who was in the 1962 war my perspective reflects my mother’s views on the matter. She spent long nights worrying for news about my father and whether he would return. I guess there are Pakistani and Chinese housewives too in the same predicament. And I guess had these housewives met, they might have resolved many a thorny issue !
With regard to the lynching of poor Muslims like Mohammad Akhlaq (RIP) in Dadri and many other cattle traders in BJP run states, in addition to the violence that the BJP and the Hindutva crowd encourages, there is also a lot of hypocrisy involved. Cattle slaughter may be banned but paradoxically, PM Modi promotes the leather industry under his flagship Make in India (ref: bit.ly/2AWdHfX) Initiative! This USD 22 Billion industry employs 4.4 million Indians and fetches India valuable foreign exchange. Yet, the industry has been crippled by Hindutva policies. And competitor Pakistan says Thank you very much Mr Modi !
@Kili, what do you want? Modi to be crucified and Pappu to ne made PM! There are thousands of individual tragedies in thsi country…including Kahsmiri Pandits and Muslim appeasement stories. If you want to wash your dirty ass, do it in Porkistan or Cheeni land.
Mr/Ms NK: Thanks for the response.
Who is Pappu? Your father?
Typically uncouth. Abusive language, whatsboutery, name calling et all that you can master.
Wonder if the PM will organise “diya on the balcony” and “barthan bajao” stunts to scare away the Chinese !
we want justice for sushant singh rajput
shameless writer on an anti-national platform.
justice to susant sing rajpoot
We want cbi encore in case of susant Singh Rajput. We want justice
I had the misfortune of doing slavery of incompetent individuals of Indian Air Force for more than five years, and from my experience I know the paper-tiger characteristics of most of the so-called military leadership, stooge of Modi and rest of the politicians in power. This is a lobby, an interest group consisting of fat-bellied politicians — like Modi-Didi-Sita-Goyal-Shah — on top of power-ladder, and egg-armed military officers from Raha to Rawat; ultimately they just care about sucking the blood out of common people. They will keep tapping and patting on each others back. When poor migrant labourers try to walk thousands of miles to reach home, these individuals will ask their loyal subordinates to molest the migrants and assault them with bamboo sticks and pesticide sprayers and even rifles; but when Chinese infiltrate the country and kill their subordinates, they are lull facing decision-impotency. Mr Panagh sounds like one of the few individuals who is not getting into that lobbying and has the will to say black is black, white white.
I salute to you Sir for calling a spade a spade and not a shovel, as, by what you have written here suggests.
Excellent, hard-hitting comment Mr Abrok Babrola !
The author has 40+ years experience and he’s writing articles here since May 5th on the matter but he never mentioned anything about China’s possibility of ambush… then how come you can criticize the leaders of army and civilian?. I see lot of negativity in Indians minds.. and that reflects in media. First our attitude towards problems and situation should be changed. look at Pakistan. even they lost F-16 and they successfully propagated that they shot down 2 of our planes and claimed victory.. we dont need to be that exaggerate but at least need to boost our armed forces moral. our brave soldiers fought back with courage and valor.. its China who is not caring about their soldiers not claiming any causalities since they may have backslash from their own people… I see end of china’s communist regime in near… India must occupy POK and have Dalai lama to announce open support to India from all Tibetans. Jaihind.
It’s easy to teach China a Lesson by hitting its soft belly — details of the same have already been sent to PMO, Confidentiality.
I have a multi-pronged solution to the Chinese problem:
1: Divert scarce resources to build the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. This demonstration of piety – although very likely to be accompanied by a lot of corrupt BJP connected contractors making quick buck – will nonetheless scare the living daylights out of the bloody Chinese. Ram Rajya will after all be inoculated against Chinese viruses and other nasty, 2 legged, bat, beef and pangolin eating creatures in uniform, right?
2: Divert some of the remaining scarce resources after carrying out step 1 above to buy 2 customised Boeing 757 aircraft to ferry the globetrotting PM to distant corners of the world. The price tag of approx. Rs 9000 crores is after all peanuts. And besides, there are no Shramik express services of the type migrants sometimes use to travel between the far corners of the world where the services of the leader of Vishwaguru Bharath are needed.
3: Divert some of the remaining resources – if needed go onto a budget deficit – to build the Central Vista in New Delhi and a larger Official Residence for PM Modi. After all, the PM cannot be expected to live in tents and freeze like the soldiers in Ladakh can he?
4: No resources left to divert now so the BJP government must go into a deeper deficit and purchase a bullet train to ply between Bombay & Ahmedabad to ferry smart Gujaratis travelling out of Bombay to Europe to deposit their monies.
Now, if these measures don’t scare off the Chinese, we have anyway a readily available scapegoat called Nehru who can be pulled out of the hat to deflect blame from the all-knowing Delhi University graduate right? And in any case, the middle-class members of the Modi cult have already bought into the idea that the Messiah is infallible and makes no mistake, and is divine so must never be blamed or held responsible.
As the French diplomat Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) presciently said:
“Every nation gets the government it deserves”
well said.
In my view, all this your genuine and shaming sarcasm most likely is not going to have any effect whatsoever on those who are ferociously committed to an ill-conceived goal of establishing a “Hindu Rashtra” of their variety disregarding completely the hitherto democratic and constitutional norms that were well laid out by those who fought relentlessly, selflessly and with all their possessions for achieving the freedom for the Indians. The only way out to come out of this quagmire would be to start working towards the end of throughly exposing the evil designs of these destructive forces and educating the people, rural as well as urban, of their constitutional rights and responsibilities that ensure a dignified life for all, and telling them effectively that this can be done by exercising their power to elect in a judicious manner. The task is hard but not impossible. Hope all right thinking people, believing in humanity, equality and justice, would realize the urgency of taking up this task at individual or at group level in order to show this fascistic regime the exit door, once and for all.
Excellent sarcasm!
Yawn !! We live in 2020, so who the f*ck cares what a French fellow said in 1800s. Looks like you are delusional peddling astrology charts all day.
Mr Murasoli Puli Warrier: Romba thanks for the response Saar !
Well, since the Gujarati man you worship lives in Vedic times and wants to build Ram Mandir, do cosmetic surgery grafting an elephant’s head on a man’s torso and so on, I think the French diplomat I cite is surely a lot modern.
Anyway, unlike intellectuals like you who have the time and the leisure to sample TASMAC sarayam all day, I need to do some serious astrology work !
So here comes my prediction: You have a Chinese smartphone which you are not going to destroy and hence you support the Chinese !
Sir you can add many more 1 Chatrapati Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea 2 3000 cr Babasaheb Amdedkar Statue.3 Statue of Ram bigger than Sardar patel at the banks of Sharayu River .
Thanks for the response Mr Yugantar.
There are hundreds of other less visible but nonetheless highly idiotic schemes underway in the area of “cowpathy” – all run on public funds. And where there is money, many dubious researchers will come forward with cock and bull ideas to do “research” to make the BJP government happy.
In its circular of 14th Fe, the AYUSH Ministry:
“invites projects on five research themes including: “cowpathy,” the use of cow products for medicine and health, including anticancer and diabetes drugs; the use of cow products for agriculture, such as in pesticides; cow-based products like shampoo, hair oil, and floor cleaners; and research on the nutritional value of cow milk. A major aim is the “scientific investigation of uniqueness of pure Indigenous Indian cows.”
This has drawn protests from Indian scientists doing serious research and completely starved of funds. As Sciencemag ( ref: bit.ly/2APzlTc) reports:
“More than 500 scientists have asked the Indian government to withdraw a call for research proposals on the “uniqueness” of indigenous cows and the curative properties of cow urine, dung, and milk, including potential cancer treatments. In an online letter, the researchers say the call is “unscientific” and a misdirection of public money at a time when research in India is already facing a financial crunch”
I wonder if this cowpathy research leads to the discovery of some potent chemicals that can make the Chinese and then the Pakistanis to simply disappear. Or at least make them piss in their pants !
H S Panag should stop writing [Lt Gen] before his name as he is now transformed into a politician with Congress genes i.e. he is no more an army man
@Ak dev, instead of writing comments to other people’s article why don’t u publish your own articles? If print will not publish them ,you can write your blog and give link to that.
Armchair warriors and diplomats, of which there are plentiful in this government and its supporters, will never understand what Gen. Panag has written. When someone relies on his “raw wisdom” to lead a nation, it can have serious consequences, and in times of conflict, cost lives. At the moment, it appears that this government’s strategies are based on half truths driven solely by optics, with an eye to win elections.
This article is basically from adversary of Modi.It highlighted all negatives about Modi.At this time when we are face to face with China,Pak an ex commander criticising his ex army is deplorable.Indians and Indian defence forces are capable of giving a befitting blow to both together and Modi will rise to be super hero of the world.
Mr Vijay Kumar Gautam: Gen. Panag did not criticise the Armed Forces but the political leadership whose vain, loud sabre-rattling got the Armed Forces and India into a sorry state of affairs.
Yes, members of the Modi cult such as yourself cannot bring themselves to accept the fact that the Modi government has committed some egregious blunders domestically which have had ramifications externally. Worse still, they do not like their Messiah to be scrutinised and held accountable for his incompetence. Therein lies the tragedy of Indian democracy – politicians are worshipped like film stars instead of being judged by their record.
Shame on you The Print
It’s a new low.
Mr Jayesh: Care to explain why you are angry at The Print? Or you simply believe in hurling abuse when you read the writing on the wall and you don’t like what you read?
Unlike anonymous cowards like you, he is proud to be an Indian.
Mr Murasoli Puli Warrier: Nonsense ! Kandraavi !
Like you, Mr Jayesh does not believe in freedom of the Press when it comes to criticism of the 56 inch chested Gujarati that you both worship. Press freedoms only apply if you praise Modi and write articles about the imaginary greatness of India under the Gujarati gods Modi & Shah.
Modi and Shah and their shrill jingoism got India into this trouble with the Chinese. If you scream in the Parliament that you will recapture Aksai Chin and other areas lost to the Chinese, you might please the jingoistic, chest-thumping Hindutva inspired crowd in which you, & Mr Jayesh belong, but you bring the entire nation in danger. That is precisely what that intellectual Amit Shah did in Parliament on 5th August 2019 when he shouted himself hoarse that he would throw the Chinese out of Aksai Chin. And the nation is paying the price.
Although diehard, blinkered, bigoted bhakths like you and Mr Jayesh might bray that they are proud Indians, the men they have elected and worship have brought India to the brink of war, destroyed the economy and weakened the unity of the country. So no “Moksha” under MoSha !!
And meanwhile, they all continue to use Chinese smartphones ! Hypocrisy thy name is Murasoli Puli Warrier !
PS: Saar, please respond after the effects of your last TASMAC trip have completely worn off. Or better still, go back to the TASMAC shop and get yourself more “saarayam”. You will need it to fortify yourself against the bad news that seems to be the only constant in India these days.
Jayesh shame for exposing?
The ruling party surprisingly appointed a combined force head / strategist as an advisor to the PM. But, as many of the strategies from demonitisation were passing thro strides. In this intrusion there is diplomatic failure on the part of India and China is trying to take advantage by creating crises after crises targetting US, India, Japan from virus to intrusion. Our efforts to win confidence of, even small neighbours are become futile exercises. The world wide whirlwind tour of our PM are yielded only negative result and adverse publicity. The welcoming of the country heads, like US, China are unnatural and unfriendly and exposing intention of wide expectation, leads to underestimation. India’s economy and military capabilities are known to them besides our policy of non alignment. Under this situation our efforts on J&K, CAA-Bangladesh / Mynmar, Nepal, Pak,China creates strained relations both within and neighbours. The concern on Political stability in many of the states is also being internal creation. So the agenda should be the development and security of the country without harming belief, freedom and rights of the multicultural India. At present, diplomatic move also raising a big question and it is time consuming since our friendly Russia, US are all silent on the issue. Further loss should be averted.
No doubt, our country men are patriotic and definitely with the Govt in times of crises.
First of all,my compliments to Lt Gen HS Panag(one of the few sane voices in India) to come out with truth and strategy to salvage Indian pride of 1.3 billion people. Although Post truth environment has allowed Godi media to deflect the issue through fake news and bombardment of funny stories,there is aneed for stock taking.
A. Is it an Intelligence failure?Starting from NSA and PMO,thes e high priest of the South Block are supposed to look ahead and build plausible scenarios on threat perception and state policy for the Military leadership.Looking at Chain of intelligence command,it starts at NSA/RAW,Nationbal Intelligence,Military Intelligence and goes down to ITBT soldiers who are watching the border.The so called satellite capability of Indian space programme and plethora of Drones like Harpy,Heron,Lakshya,searcher and Rustom and IAF surveillance systems like EMB-145,Beriev A-50,Global 5000,Indian Military could have picked up the Chinese movements 50 to 100 km east of LAC.Who failed here?
B.Rules of engagement. Any Army worth its salt will have clear and concise rules of engagement to cover four scenarios..Border Management,Concentration of Chinese forces, active skirmishes and all out conflict. Why the chain of command failed at political and military level,from NSA down to 14 Corps and 3 Division? HS Panag has a serious question.
C.What is the role of CDS office,who was talking of Hybrid War and probably never appreciated that India could go into military confrontation with China,despite the fact that India had poked Pakistan and China by abrogation of article 370 and changing status quo ,even including Aksai Chin.
D.If India was actively paddling the Indo Pacific and Quad thing,did it think of Chinese respopnse?
Even my village buffalo could have done better than Modi,Rajnaath Singh,Doval,Gen Bipin Rawat and Gen Narawane
I AM ASHAMED THAT A RETIRED LT. GEN SHOULD WRITE ABOUT BLOOD BEING ON THE HANDS OF MODI AND NEHRU, IF THIS MAN EVER COMMANDED A COMBATANT UNIT HE SHOULD LOOK AT HIS OWN HANDS OR WAS HE JUST A PEN PUSHING BABU IN UNIFORM?
FOR 70 YEARS THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BROUGHT US DOWN WHERE WE ARE AGAINST CHINA AND EVEN PAKISTAN.
THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS COLONIAL LIFESTYLE, EVERY THING FREE FROM TAXPAYER, SETTLING THE NEXT GENERATION IN BOLLYWOOD, CRICKET, POLITICS OR IN FOREIGN OR IN UN.
THIS IS THE PRECISE BREED OF FREE-BOOTERS THAT CHURCHILL HAD PREDICTED INDIA WOULD BE RULED BY.
IF A GENERAL DOES NOT ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE NO STRAIGHT FORWARD SOLUTION FOR ASYMMETRIC SITUATIONS THEN WE HAVE WASTED MONEY AS A COUNTRY ON SUCH PEOPLE.
Boycott chinese product Including the PrintP