New Delhi: After news that 20 Indian soldiers had died in violent clashes with Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley Tuesday, prime time was full of expert opinions, some war mongering, calls for revenge and some drama.
Hindi news channels, like News 18 India, also proudly reported unconfirmed figures of Chinese casualties, with utmost confidence.
Republic TV continued its efforts to try and change the world, one hashtag at a time. Arnab Goswami began the debate, #GetOutChina, by calling the country “delusional and insecure” as India stood its ground in Galwan Valley. Ironically, the show was sponsored by Vivo — a Chinese company.
From Beijing Dr Jiong Gong, professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said, “The agreement of 6 June is India’s version. I don’t think anyone in the international community as well as China’s official statement recognises that. It’s a fact that the scuffle took place on the Chinese side of the LAC.”
He was referring to the meeting between top commanders of the two countries on 6 June, where they had reportedly reached an agreement for de-escalation at the border.
Sushant Sareen, senior fellow, Observer Research Foundation immediately disagreed with Gong: “We have seen instance after instance of China violating agreements. I don’t think the agreement of peace and tranquility signed by India and China, which the latter has been violating with gay abandon, is relevant anymore,” he stated.
Sounding like a voice of reason, Andrew K.P. Leung, China strategist, said, “I don’t think China wants to escalate, both are big countries, and both countries cannot afford a war.” Well, we hope so.
On Times Now, anchor Navika Kumar discussed China’s “cowardly” Galwan betrayal, that deviously ambushed Indian troops and broke a 45-year-long peace on the LAC. “Be warned, this isn’t India of 1962. Will China pay for Galwan betrayal?” asked Kumar.
India and China were at war in 1962 when China overrode parts of Indian territory.
Former Army Chief Gen V.P. Malik weighed in on the debate, “It’s either a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt by Western Command of PLA which doesn’t want de-escalation of troops.”
As the debate digressed, political analyst Sumanth Raman said, “Indo-China matter is a national issue. There is no Congress, no BJP or any political party. Everybody is united.”
However, there plenty of drama on another show with anchor Rahul Shivshankar. Former diplomat and strategic affairs expert K.C. Singh walked out of the panel, claiming that an ambush was set up to attack strategic affairs expert Ajai Shukla, who has been consistently criticising the government for concealing information on the India-China standoff.
Shivshankar claimed later that Shukla disclosed the number of Indian soldiers who died before the government had issued a statement.
Despite no official confirmation of casualties on the Chinese side, anchor Amish Devgan on News 18 India claimed that five Chinese soldiers had been killed in the clash.
He also tried to give the discussion a political turn as he questioned Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap on why Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that firing took place at LAC, even though the clashes took place with sticks and batons.
A visibly annoyed Akhilesh Pratap told Devgan, “Goli se nahi maare hain toh aap unhe kya shaheed nai maneng? Kis tarah ka sawal kar rahe he.. Kis level me aap log utar jate hain…” (If they didn’t kill with bullets then you won’t consider them as martyrs? What sort of question is this? How low will all of you stoop?”)
On Zee News, host Aman Chopra’s question of the hour was — “Kya yudh chahta he China?” (Does China want war?) Isn’t that the question.
Chopra also repeatedly insisted that this is not the India of 1962. “Ye 1962 ka Bharat nahi hein, 2020 ka Bharat hai, cheroge toh chodenge nahi.” (This is not the India of 1962, this is the India of 2020, if you mess with us, we will not leave you).
(Retd) Lt General Shankar Prasad, one of the experts in the panel, said that both the countries have to realise the cost of a war now. “Dono deshon ko sochna padega casualties ke bare mein, world opinion ke baare mein, economic, political and geo-political effects ke baare mein,” (Both countries need to think about casualties, world opinion and economic, political and geopolitical effects) he said.
Chopra was, however, preoccupied with China hiding its casualties — “China kya chupa raha he number, corona thodi he jo kam karke batayega,” (What is China hiding, it is not corona that they will reduce the number.
ABP News almost issued a war call with its headline — “India kab lega Galwan valley mein shaheed hue jawanon ka badla.” (When will India take revenge for the martyred soldiers in Galwan).
Anchor Rubika Liyaquat was at her sensationalist best — “Wo China jo keh raha ki lets talk on the table, aaye aaye baat krte he.. Jo kabutar udha raha hain wo khuni jhadab mein kyu iss tarike se apni chalakin dikha raha hain.” (China kept saying let’s talk and come to the table. The one who is flying the pigeon, why is it showing such bloody maneuvers?)
Congress’ Rajiv Tyagi said the Modi government must accept its diplomatic failure with China. “China ke vishay pe sarkar ki nischit tarah se kutnitik asafalat hain aur unhe ye swikar karna chajhiye aur correct karna chiaye,” (China has been a diplomatic failure for the government, and they should accept and correct it.)
The discussion soon turned into a Congress-BJP debate after Tyagi asked BJP’s Shahnawaz Hussain why the government still has not accepted that Chinese troops have entered India.
Liyaquat interrupted them to say, “Iss desh ko na BJP se matlab hai na Congress se matlab hai, hume desh se matlab hai.” (This country does not care about BJP or Congress, we care about the country).
And so say all of us.
What is the purpose of this summary by print?
When will these tv channels realize that chamchagiri will destroy them in the long run? They have negated the very purpose for which independent media is created in a democracy.
It means Vivo is sponsoring Get out China.
Accept That China Is Not Dependable.Game Of Treachery Is A Left Handed One For Chinese.Always Do A Chicken Neck Hold Dealings With China So That It May Be Turned When China Playing Around.
Republic tv was playing “get out china” sponsored by vivo