Simran Sodhi,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, December 26

During his “surprise” visit to Pakistan yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the means to take forward the bilateral talks with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif.Sources privy to the discussions said the two leaders assessed the Bangkok meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s recent visit to Pakistan, where she met Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Adviser to the Pakistan PM.Sources said the two leaders “agreed to keep talking” amid a realisation that there were elements who would disrupt the process. “It was a personal meeting between the two Prime Ministers and by stopping over in Lahore, Modi wants to send across a message that leaders should be able to visit each other normally, without any hype,” a source said.Sources also discounted reports that the two leaders discussed Kashmir though Pakistani news channel Geo TV claimed: “The two leaders reportedly discussed a range of bilateral issues, including Kashmir.”Though projected as a surprise visit, Modi’s Lahore stopover now appears to have been planned with a few being informed about it.Modi had travelled to Russia in an Air India Jumbo flight. However, an Indian Air Force plane later reached Russia with greater security apparatus onboard, which surprised quite a few people. In a parallel move, security personnel were moved from Delhi to Kabul for the PM’s Friday stopover.Once the PM’s trip to Russia got over, most of the official delegation boarded the Air India flight and returned to the National Capital. However, Modi along with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and a few other officials boarded the IAF plane for Kabul. Sources said there was some speculation of a possible stopover in Pakistan but Sharif was in Lahore, not in Islamabad. Later, Modi called up Sharif to convey birthday greetings and reportedly told him that he would have loved to meet his Pakistan counterpart, who was busy with his granddaughter’s wedding in Raiwind, near Lahore. To this, Sharif reportedly replied that they could meet in Lahore.However, the arrangements in place point to the fact that the plan to stop by in Lahore was already in the PM’s mind, with very few people in the PMO and MEA being aware of it. One, the enhanced security arrangements in Kabul were a sign that the security setup would give them the leeway to stop in Lahore. Geo TV in Pakistan reported that the visit “was not that surprising” as the Lahore Air Traffic Control had been told about it on Thursday.Apparently, the plan was kept a secret even from the Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad who were informed about it only in the noon after which they rushed to Lahore.

Inaugurates new Afghanistan Parliament built with $90 m assistance by India

Kabul, December 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for an end to cross-border terrorism as he inaugurated country’s new parliament building here.Without naming Pakistan, Modi said in an address to Parliament here: “Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut and their patrons are no longer in business.“Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make,” he said.Modi reached Kabul early on Friday on his way back from a two-day visit to Russia. He, along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, inaugurated the new Parliament building that has been constructed with Indian assistance of $90 million. One block of the building has been named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.“Bahut dhanyavaad India 4 giving us a new house of democracy. Its a testimony to our unyielding friendship,” Ghani stated in a tweet. In his address, Modi said there were “some who did not want us to be here”. “There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discourage us.”  He said “those waging war from outside must seek a path to this building and this hall”.The PM said Afghanistan’s success would require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours.Modi expressed hope that Pakistan would “”ecome a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond”. A joint statement issued after a meeting between Modi and Ghani said Afghanistan needed to eliminate terrorism perpetrated from “sanctuaries and safe havens” for peace while identifying terrorism, narcotics and extremism as “serious challenges”. The Mi-25 helicopters India is giving to Afghanistan were also mentioned in the statement, and both sides agreed to expand training opportunities for Afghan security and defence forces. Modi thanked Afghan authorities for ensuring the safety of the Indian embassy in Kabul, the four consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif, and Indian nationals in Afghanistan, including those working on various development projects.Earlier, after Modi reached Kabul, Ghani tweeted: “India and Afghanistan enjoy a friendship that dates back to antiquity. We have stood by each other in the best and worst of times.” The two leaders had delegation-level discussions over breakfast.After his address to Parliament, Modi met Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai.He also interacted with Indian aid workers in Afghanistan, ITBP personnel and embassy officials. — IANS

Reaching out

Modi pats ITBP men guarding embassyModi spent some time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel deployed to secure the Indian High Commission in Kabul. He lauded their courage and dedication by complimenting them with a “keep it up” remark. The armed contingent is stationed to guard the facility and diplomatic staff in Kabul since 2002. The ITBP also guards India’s four consulates in Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar and Herat.500 scholarships for martyrs’ childrenThe PM announced 500 scholarships for children of the martyrs of Afghan security forces. The Prime Minister, in his address in Afghan Parliament said: “You know India is here to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives and not to destroy a nation. Today, I announce 500 scholarships for children of the martyrs of Afghan security forces while scheme of 1000 scholarships will continue.”

US, UN welcome Modi-Sharif meet

• The US on Friday said improved ties between the two countries will benefit the entire region. “Better relations between neighbours will benefit the people of the entire region,” said a US State Department spokesman
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hoped the dialogue would be strengthened further

…Invokes ‘Sher Khan’ and ‘Kabuliwalla’

Kabul, December 25

The memorable portrayal of a Pathan — Sher Khan — by actor Pran in Bollywood movie “Zanjeer” found its way into diplomacy as PM Narendra Modi mentioned it to underscore how Indians view Afghans as true and magnanimous friends.And not just Sher Khan, the character “Kabuliwalla” in story by that name penned by Rabindranath Tagore too figured in Modi’s speech to Afghan Parliamentarians, as did the successes of Afghan cricket team to highlight the strong cultural and people-to-people bond between the two peoples. In his address, Modi lauded the Afghan people for their valour, courage and magnanimous friendship and then went to recite lyrics of a song in “Zanjeer” filmed on “Hindi cinema’s most favourite Pathan character — Sher Khan”.“Yaari hai imaan mera, yaar meri zindagi”, a smiling Modi said and then translated it for Afghan parliamentarians, that “friendship is my faith and friend is my life”. This, he said, is how India views Afghans in its centuries long relationship, the Prime Minister said. — PTI

The two sides discussed ceasefire skirmishes, air space violations and construction near the LoC, acknowledged each other’s efforts in maintaining peace. COLONEL SD GOSWAMI, Jammu-based defence spokesperson

JAMMU: The armies of India and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to exercise restraint along the line of control and keep the communication channels alive, in the first meeting since the two countries resumed talks to resolve bitter issues.

Battalion commanders of the two armies held a flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch sector at 11am and discussed issues, including ceasefire skirmishes, air space violations and construction near the line of control (LoC).

Jammu-based defence spokesperson Colonel SD Goswami said: “Both sides acknowledged each other’s efforts in maintaining peace along the LoC.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on December 15 said New Delhi was resuming talks with Islamabad to “try and turn the course of history” and bring an end to terrorism.

In a joint statement issued in Islamabad after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit, India and Pakistan bilateral

had agreed to discuss all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Nearly a week ahead of Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan, the army had shot dead three militants in Poonch sector on December 2.

The two armies had last held a meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh area in September to defuse tension after about two months of consistent cross-border firing.

THE GOVT’S LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF OPERATIONAL NECESSITIES, COUPLED WITH PROPENSITY FOR INDECISION, HAS LED TO A PROGRESSIVE FALL IN AIR FORCE’S POTENTIAL

Despite 32 long years’ effort, India has not been able to indigenise its military aviation sector to any reckonable degree. We made no effort to go beyond licence production, unlike our northern neighbour which resorted to large-scale reverse engineering of Soviet/Russian equipment. As a result, China is today able to export almost the entire range of weapon systems.

Our LCA (light combat aircraft), Tejas, planned to be inducted into service in the early 1990s, still remains mired in serious problems. The goalpost keeps shifting periodically. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is rarely kept in the decision-making loop. It could not even make good the depleting strength by acquiring fighters from foreign vendors. In order to remain afloat, the IAF had to continuously resort to upgradations and modifications. This may be a desirable modus operandi in keeping with the military economy, but certainly not so without near-future modernisation plans being in the pipeline. As of now, French Rafale, Russian T-50 and our own Tejas are all nowhere near realisation. Both Rafale and fifth-generation T-50 remain stuck in indecision and protracted negotiations.

The leisurely decision-making process with regard to 126 multi-role combat aircraft (Rafale) had the negotiation going on for years without realising the cost implications. High inflation prevalent in the armament industry results in cost escalation. Besides, such delays also end up compromising the competitive edge that is sought to be acquired vis-à-vis the adversary. The IAF’s potential to cope with any serious conflict situation presently seems doubtful at best. A two-front war, if imposed in the shortterm perspective, could prove to be a calamity.

TEJAS’ LIMITATIONS

Under the circumstances, India will have to continue procuring foreign fighter jets as relying entirely on the LCA would not meet the IAF’s varied requirements. Tejas falls well short both in terms of number and capability. It cannot meet multiple role requirement of the air force.

It is yet to incorporate additional capabilities such as mid-air refuelling, missile carriage capability, selfprotection jammers, redesigning of layout of internal systems to improve aircraft maintainability and state-ofthe-art onboard radar etc. As per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tejas would need a number of major upgradations for it to become a technologically viable stateof-the-art fighter.

Besides, Tejas is also yet to get operational clearance, without which its operational performance and survivability will remain limited. As of now, 20 permanent and 33 temporary waivers are pending before it can be given final operational clearance (FOC). That is why the air force had placed the order only for a limited number of aircraft, though it needs around 100 or so. Recently, some understanding was reached between the user (IAF), designer (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and the manufacturer (HAL) regarding Tejas’ specifications. Once these are implemented, the air force would place additional orders to the tune of 120 or so.

RAFALE ROW

The air force needs multi-role combat aircraft of Rafale’s genre. It requires at least six to eight squadrons (16 to18 aircraft per squadron) of this type of fighter as soon as possible. But the government once again put the IAF in a quandary by declaring suddenly in April to procure only 36 Rafales (two squadrons) in fly-away condition against 126 that were being negotiated all these years. Turning down the IAF’s request for muchneeded latest-generation aircraft on the grounds of cost, the government told it to fill the gap with indigenous ‘32 years in labour’ Tejas. Even the IAF’s demand of 127 fifthgeneration Russian fighters has been cut to half.

The government is not quite realising that the IAF is in dire need of fighter aircraft. Lack of understanding of operational necessities, coupled with propensity for indecision, has led to a progressive fall in the IAF’s potential. A consequent fall in competitive edge has reached a worrisome stage.

Against 45 fighter squadrons required to meet multifarious tasks in case of a two-front war, the air force has only 35 as of now, which will further reduce to 32 or so by the end of this year. This includes a large number of obsolete MiG-21s and MiG-27s. The air force will be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions and phasing-out. But the government seems more inclined towards the “make in India policy” rather than adopting a pragmatic approach in the face of the fast-developing critical situation.

Where does the air force stand in the future? It seems to be a scary reflection. The need of the hour is to strike a balance between being ready for war at all times and allowing the partially-developed indigenous technologies to fructify. It’s the performance and role compatibility that the air force is looking for. The government must evolve a viable option soon for the IAF to continue to retain its dominant status in the region.

The writer is former director general, Defence Planning Staff. The views expressed are personal

Parrikar visits US Pacific Command at Hawaii
short by Aditya Kashyap / 11:12 pm on 08 Dec 2015,Tuesday
Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday became the first Indian Defence Minister to visit the US Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii. Parrikar and Pacific Command (PACOM) Commander Admiral Harry Harris discussed the importance of expanded maritime cooperation between the two nations, PACOM spokesperson said. Parrikar is scheduled to meet US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter at the Pentagon on December 10.

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11

Future progress on the India-Pakistan engagement especially in regard to terror will be driven by outcome on the issues New Delhi flagged during the first formal talks between the National Security Advisers.The Bangkok meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistan counterpart Lt Gen Naseer Khan Janjua (retd) last Sunday is part of a well thought out and crafted strategy based on two foundations — continue response in a strong measure to any provocative acts on the border and engage in discussions across the table on all issues, senior government officials privy to discussions told The Tribune here.The Modi government is clear the resumption of talks with Pakistan was to convey New Delhi’s preparedness to hold talks with authorities in Islamabad that takes forward the spirit of Ufa where terrorism was put high on agenda while moving towards discussion on outstanding issues.There is a clear demarcation in the nature of engagement, one that takes forward the issue of terrorism that India wants Pakistan to address, including progress in trial against perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and the bilateral dialogue whose nomenclature stood changed from Resumed Dialogue to Comprehensive Dialogue.The future of the engagement (on terror) will be “outcome-driven”, officials who are part of the formulation said adding unlike the past when the talk about terror would be explained away as result of problems on account developments in Jammu and Kashmir and its fallout, there was greater receptivity from the other side.Devoting a good part of the four-hour NSA-level talks to terror, India put on the table evidence it accumulated in cases. While giving the benefit of the doubt to Islamabad in a few instances, India managed to convey its concerns backed by firm and watertight evidence, they said.The Foreign Secretaries of both countries are to meet next month to work out the modalities of the comprehensive dialogue and the level of interaction in various working groups, the modalities and scheduled of the meetings.
India, Pak Foreign Secys to meet in Jan
Joint statement largely welcomed in Pakistan
The decision to hold India-Pakistan comprehensive dialogue has been largely welcomed by the media and analysts, though certain politicians and ex-diplomats believe the joint statement issued after Sushma Swaraj’s meetings in Islamabad tilted towards India
Opposition in the National Assembly, especially Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrike Insaf and Jamit Ulema Islam’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, demanded that PM Nawaz Sharif should brief the House on what transpired during talks with the Indian delegation
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “I firmly believe that we have no option, neither first nor last, but peace. Any other course would be disastrous for one-and-a-half billion people in the sub-continent.” —Afzal Khan in Islamabad
The Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet next month to work out the details of the newly announced “comprehensive bilateral dialogue” and also to decide the level of interactions among various working groups.
Announcing this in the Pakistan National Assembly today, Sartaj Aziz, Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Pakistan PM, said the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the two countries would discuss terrorism as part of this comprehensive dialogue.
The talks are expected to be held in New Delhi. In March, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had travelled to Islamabad and met his Pakistan counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. But Jaishankar’s visit was part of the PM’s SAARC ‘yatra’ rather than a formal and structured Foreign Secretary-level talks.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is yet to make a statement in this regard in Parliament due to continuous disruptions.
Aziz briefed the Pakistan Assembly about the recently concluded Heart of Asia conference and “the latest developments in relations between Pakistan and India, including the joint statement issued after he met Sushma.
Aziz said all issues, including Kashmir, would be part of the peace talks under the agreed formula for the fresh re-engagement with India. “During the bilateral meeting, it was decided that the two Foreign Secretaries will meet next month to work out the details of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue and the level of interaction among various working groups. The Foreign Secretaries will also decide the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue,” Aziz said.
He said: “It was also decided that terrorism would be discussed by the two NSAs as part of this comprehensive bilateral dialogue. We had emphasised that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism.” Aziz outlined the process leading from the Paris handshake between the Prime Ministers of the two countries to the NSAs meeting in Bangkok to the recent visit of Swaraj. Aziz said that in Bangkok, both delegations were guided by the vision of the two leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia.
On Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan and the consequent announcement of the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue between the two countries, Aziz said: “Following the successful meeting of the NSAs, the Indian External Affairs Minister visited Pakistan to attend the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. She called on PM Nawaz Sharif and held bilateral talks in the Foreign Office. It was decided to continue the constructive engagement between Pakistan and India. As announced in the joint statement, the two sides agreed to a comprehensive bilateral dialogue, which includes all subjects of the composite dialogue, with some additions.”
Joint statement largely welcomed in Pakistan
The decision to hold India-Pakistan comprehensive dialogue has been largely welcomed by the media and analysts, though certain politicians and ex-diplomats believe the joint statement issued after Sushma Swaraj’s meetings in Islamabad tilted towards India
Opposition in the National Assembly, especially Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrike Insaf and Jamit Ulema Islam’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, demanded that PM Nawaz Sharif should brief the House on what transpired during talks with the Indian delegation
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “I firmly believe that we have no option, neither first nor last, but peace. Any other course would be disastrous for one-and-a-half billion people in the sub-continent.” —Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 6
Almost 13 months after the killing of two youths at Chattergam in Budgam, Army men will depose before the police for recording their statements for the first time.
The police have been blaming the Army for the delay in filing a challan in the case in the competent court, alleging that the Army had not been cooperating with their investigation.
Two youths — Faisal Yousuf (17) and Meraj-u-din Dar (21) — were killed and two others injured on November 3 when Army men of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, manning a checkpoint at Chattergam village in Budgam, opened fire on the car they were travelling in.
The killing sparked outrage across the Valley and the Army later termed the killing as “a mistake”. The state police had already recorded the statements of the two injured boys and other civilian eyewitnesses during the investigation into the case.
“The investigating officer forwarded nearly a dozen communications to the Army unit in the last one year, asking it to record the statements of men deployed at the naka, but it had not responded so far. This is the precise reason for not being able to complete our investigation,” said a senior police officer.
The Army was yet to deposit the weapons for forensic examination, which it had not done so far, the officer said. The Army authorities said deposition of witnesses in the case would commence from Monday.
“The Army has been extending full cooperation to the civil administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police with respect to the Chattergam incident. Senior Army officers are maintaining constant liaison with the Budgam Senior Superintendent of Police. Deposition by witnesses is scheduled to commence tomorrow,” said a senior Army officer in Srinagar.
The Army had completed a court of inquiry into the case and was waiting for the police and magisterial probe to move ahead in the case.
Sources said the court of inquiry had indicted nearly a dozen soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles, for violating rules of engagement in Chattergam.

Probe update

• Police investigation status: The police had registered a case under Section 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code and Sections 7 and 27 of the Arms Act against the 53 Rashtriya Rifles. They are yet to file a challan in the case. The Army has not shared its court of inquiry with the police
• Army investigation status: The Army has completed its court of inquiry. It will move further in the case once the magisterial inquiry and police investigation into the case are complete. On the court of inquiry not being shared, the Army says the police are required to conduct an independent inquiry without reference to any departmental inquiry
• Magisterial probe status: The Jammu and Kashmir Government had named the Khan Sahib SDM as the inquiry officer. The official is yet to complete the probe

SATARA (Maha): Hundreds of people from all walks of life on Thursday converged at a small village here as the mortal remains of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, who laid down his life battling militants near LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, were consigned to flames with full military honours.

The 39-year-old martyr’s body was brought to Pogarwadi village in Maharashtra’s Satara district this moring where his last rites were performed.
The body was kept for sometime at his mother’s house in the neighbouring Aaray village where defence minister Manohar Parrikar paid homage to him. A large number of villagers from various communities gathered at the cremation site to pay their respects to the martyr.

With teary eyes, the mourning villagers bid adieu to their son who made them proud and shouted slogans like “Col Mahadik Amar Rahe” as his mortal remains were consigned to flames.
Earlier, his mortal remains wrapped in the tricolour were brought in a procession escorted by Army personnel.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had paid tributes to Col Mahadik in Pune last night when the the Army officer’s mortal remains were brought there en route to his native Satara district.
Col Mahadik, the Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles, was critically injured during an operation in the Haji Naka forest area of Kupwara near the LoC in Kashmir on Tuesday. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital later.

अंबाला, (कमल मिड्ढा) : देश की रक्षा और बहादुरी के लिए सैनिकों को दिए जाने वाले मेडल बने मजाक। बहादुरी के प्रतीक माने जाने वाले मेडल कागजों में ही उलझ कर रह गए। मेडल लौटाने जिला मुख्यालय पहुंचे वन रैंक वन पेंशन की अधिसूचना से नाराज पूर्व सैनिक। पूर्व सैनिक जहाँ मेडल लौटने का दम भर रहे हैं वहीं प्रशासन ने सिर्फ कागजों में ही लिए पूर्व सैनिकों के मेडल।
पूर्व सैनिक मेडल लौटने की बात कर रहे हैं तो स्थानीय प्रशासन लेने के लिए तैयार नहीं है। अंबाला में भी कुछ ऐसा ही नजारा देखने को मिला। यहां मेडल लौटने के लिए पूर्व सैनिक पूरे जोर शोर के साथ उपायुक्त कार्यालय पहुंचे और जमकर सरकार के खिलाफ नारेबाजी की। ये सरकार निकम्मी है,ये सरकार झूठी है,हमारी मांगें पूरी करो, साढ़ा हक़ एेथे रख़…. जैसे नारे लगा रहे। ये कोई और नही,बल्कि देश के लिए अपनी जान तक न्यौछावर करने वाले पूर्व सैनिक हैं। दरअसल, वन रैंक वन पेंशन की अधिसूचना जारी होने के बावजूद सड़कों पर दीपावली के दिन झंडे उठाकार उतरे पूर्व सैनिक इसे मोदी सरकार का छलावा बता रहे हैं। पूर्व सैनिक एसोसिएशन का आरोप है कि सरकार ने सही तरह ओ आर ओ पी लागू नहीं की। यही वजह है कि उनके अधिकांश साथियों का कोई लाभ नही मिल पाएगा। अंबाला में मेडल लौटाने पहुंचे पूर्व सैनिकों से प्रशासन ने कागजों में तो मेडल ले लिए, लेकिन असली तौर पर मेडल लेने से इनकार कर दिया।
OROP के नोटिफिकेशन के विरोध में अंबाला की सड़कों पर उतरे पूर्व सैनिकों ने मोदी सरकार के ख़िलाफ़ नारे लगाते हुए जमकर रोष प्रकट किया। पूर्व सैनिको ने अपने मेडल इकठे कर जिला प्रशासन को सौंपने को भरपूर कोशिश की, लेकिन प्रशासन ने मेडल नहीं लिए। इसके बावजूद पूर्व सैनिक मेडल लौटाने का दम भरते रहे। सैनिकों ने कहा कि जब तक सरकार OROP को पूरी तरह लागू नहीं करेगी तब तक विरोध प्रदर्शन जारी रहेगा।
OROP को लेकर सरकार और पूर्व सैनिकों के बीच गर्मा रहे विवाद में शुरू हुई यह मेडल वार कहां जाकर रुकेगी इसका अंदाजा लगाना अभी मुश्किल है, लेकिन मेडलों का इस तरह से बहादुरी के प्रतीक मेडलों का तिरस्कार कितना सही है यह अभी भी एक बड़ा सवाल बनकर खड़ा है।

अरक्कोणम, 13 नवंबर (एजेंसी)

रक्षा मंत्री मनोहर पर्रिकर ने पूर्व सैनिकों के मेडल जलाने की कोशिशों को राष्ट्र और सशस्त्र बलों का अपमान बताते हुए आज कहा कि पूर्व सैनिकों को साबित करना चाहिए कि एक रैंक एक पेंशन (ओआरओपी) आंदोलन के पीछे कोई राजनीतिक उद्देश्य नहीं है।
यह पूछे जाने पर कि क्या सरकार के ओआरओपी योजना पर प्रतिक्रिया एवं अधिसूचना के बावजूद जारी आंदोलन के पीछे उन्हें कोई राजनीतिक संबंध दिखता है, रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा, ‘मैं कुछ कहूंगा तो यह आरोप बन जाएगा। उन्हें साबित करने दीजिए कि यह राजनीतिक नहीं है।’ उन्होंने एक दूसरे सवाल के जवाब में कहा, ‘मेडल सशस्त्र बलों के बलिदानों के लिए राष्ट्र द्वारा दिया जाने वाला सम्मान है। उन्हें जलाना या लौटाना राष्ट्र और रक्षा बलों का अपमान है।’ पूर्व सैन्यकर्मियों द्वारा ओआरओपी अधिसूचना के अपनी मांगों के अनुकूल न होने के आधार पर असंतुष्टि जताने के बाद रक्षा मंत्री की यह टिप्पणी आयी है। सरकार ने शनिवार को देश के 24 लाख से अधिक पूर्व सैनिकों और 6 लाख शहीदों की पत्नियों के लिए ओआरओपी योजना औपचारिक रूप से अधिसूचित की थी।