It is indeed a sad week for India, losing its bravest sons in a chopper crash. Those dead included the Chief of Defence Services General Bipin Rawat and his wife and eleven other military personnel, ranging from a Brigadier to Lance Naik.
There was utter disbelief, shock and sadness that engulfed the nation. Gen Rawat was unique in his way, putting it squarely and bluntly when describing China and its expansionist game plan. He talked firmly and openly because he was not a politician, to keep something at heart and say something else. His contribution in modernizing the armed forces is noteworthy, as are his surgical strikes, flying into Myanmar and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The General held on at Doklam and Ladakh to gain praise from the international observers for not yielding to a bullying China.
The entire nation condoled the CDS and other members, from the President of India, the PM, the Defence Minister and all the cabinet members. Many states passed obituary references, the Uttarakhand state declaring a three-day state mourning. Many governors paid their last respects. There was an obituary reference in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
In an otherwise sombre and sad event, there was one glitch, the role of Trinamool Congress, which blamed that the government was ‘monopolizing’ the mourning. The Rajya Sabha members of the party were peeved in not getting a chance to speak on the sad deaths of the military personnel. They lost an opportunity to repeat the doubt of a conspiracy theory they have claimed on Twitter that reads: ‘Was it an enemy act? Very distressing.’ Simple Dr Watson, the media would have taken from there to magnify the conspiracy theory and hold the Modi-led government guilty for a crime never committed.
I must add that the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha denied an opportunity, well with the ambit of Chapter 16 of the Rules and Procedures of Rajya Sabha on an obituary and other references. P 467 (v), which states: Quote- ‘In the case of death of an outstanding personality or national leader or a foreign dignitary, the Chairman, in consultation with the Leader of the House, might decide in each case whether the House should be adjourned for the day or not.
The Committee also recommended that in the matter of making obituary references the existing practice of the Chairman alone making a reference should be followed. This would not preclude party/group leaders also participating in the obituary reference on special occasions when there is a general consensus to that effect. -Unquote
It’s time the opposition parties understand the difference between the ruling party and the government, which are different! Why wasn’t there a candlelight march or wreath-laying ceremony at Fort William as a mark of respect to the departed souls?
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
