Borders burned as MPs fiddled 18 Aug 15
Post the meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan at Ufa and the announcement of NSA level talks, the security situation along the Pakistan border has been steadily deteriorating. The scale and quantum of ceasefire violations has increased dramatically, resulting in casualties to both civilians and security personnel. Attempts at infiltration are more than normal. The attacks in Gurdaspur and Udhampur were serious incidents and could have caused many more casualties than they actually did. The interrogation of the captured terrorist Naved proved beyond doubt the direct involvement of Pakistan in both the incidents. Subsequently, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) went about busting and arresting active Pakistani supporters across the valley. Yet the proposed talks between the NSAs of the two countries are likely to be held on schedule.
In Uttarakhand around mid-July, the Chinese pushed back Indian shepherds and dismantled their huts in the disputed area of the Barahoti Bowl, which is on our side of the border. This month, the Chinese conducted a major exercise with live firing involving the army and the air force from the Chengdu military region, the headquarters responsible for directing and conducting military operations against India, very close to the border. The level and scale of the exercise raised eyebrows in military and intelligence circles about its possible aim, intent and the message it was meant to convey.
The historic Naga peace accord has been inked. It would have ramifications on neighbouring states and other militant Naga insurgent groups opposed to the talks as also bringing an end to one of India’s longest running insurgencies. The Ministry of Defence is in the process of going ahead with large scale procurement of military hardware to make up deficiencies in critical capabilities, and planning at doing this through government to government deals.
The security related events and incidents as stated above merited being questioned and discussed in the monsoon session of parliament. The government should have been made to justify to the parliament and also simultaneously to the nation on its reactions, possible courses of actions and future intentions to prevent or limit such incidents. National security and defence are issues which are essential for the survival and economic growth of any nation and thus should transcend the borders of inter party rivalry. The behaviour of Pakistan in the recent past should have been criticized and simultaneously parliamentarians from all parties should have jointly praised the members of the individual security forces responsible for blocking or thwarting the terrorist attacks and demanded action against Pakistan. Similarly the government should have shed light on the incidents with China and given details of the Naga peace agreement.
However none of this happened. The entire monsoon session of parliament, was solely devoted to fighting a political battle between the government and the opposition. It left me wondering whether national security is a priority or considered secondary to the demands of individual political parties. Night after night the political logjam was played out on television and the morning newspapers were filled with editorials and articles on the behaviour and attitude of the Members of Parliament. The citizens of the country were given to believe that nothing could be more important than the resignation of the concerned politicians.
It simultaneously also proved that national security is too minor an issue for serious consideration. Militant attacks, incidents with China and cease fire violations are superfluous and discussion on anything pertaining to the defence and security of India could only be resorted to once the collective demands of the opposition are met.
In contrast, when we look at the budget session this year, when a similar group of terrorists struck Kathua and Samba, the hue and cry raised in both houses was immense and both the defence and home ministers were busy justifying the queries raised by a combined opposition. All parliamentarians cutting across party lines criticised Pakistan, sympathized with members of the family of those martyred and simultaneously praised the security forces for their role in blunting the attack and eliminating the terrorists. The previous border incidents with China have always been well discussed in parliament. National security related incidents have always brought solidarity amongst the members of parliament. This has provided the concerned ministry and the government the confidence to deal firmly with such incidents due to the support of all members.
The present logjam led to a failed monsoon session. Apart from causing a loss of hundreds of crores and the non- clearance of important bills, it also gave Pakistan and it’s directly supported LET an opportunity to step up their activities, knowing that the entire attention of the country’s leadership was diverted to dealing with internal politics. The sudden spurt of attempted infiltration and increased ceasefire violations compelled India to move additional troops to increase pressure on Pakistan. All this happening during the current monsoon session and not being raised in parliament is completely bizarre. Never have two such incidents, Gurdaspur and Udhampur, been so close together in time and place, and no serious discussion taken place. Even the arrest of a terrorist and the clear spilling of beans of Pakistan’s involvement did not invite any serious criticism cutting across party lines. It indicated the importance given to matters of national security as against political agendas. Such action by our political leaders shows lack of desire to deal with issues of national security.
The main stream political parties are well aware that national security and development go hand in hand, and thus whenever national security is threatened by militant action on our soil as also enhanced violations of ceasefire, there is a need for all to cut across party lines and show a strong intent and solidarity in dealing with the same. Ignoring it or avoiding it, due to other political compulsions only gives the militants and their handlers a feeling that they can continue with their dastardly actions without any fear or serious retribution from India. I only hope that the future would bring out more maturity within our political system especially on issues pertaining to national security.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army