Pitiful, Shameful

 

 

 

FROM terming Operation Sindoor as a ‘tamasha’ to repeatedly questioning about losses incurred during the military conflict with Pakistan, an appalling sadism has laced the Congress party’s behaviour in the Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Its leaders are seeking vicious pleasure in demeaning the country’s military prowess instead of projecting a coherent stance aligning with national interest. As an Opposition party, the Congress has a duty to scrutinise government action but by swaying to external narratives peddled without a shred of evidence the grand old party has chosen to shoot itself in the foot when the occasion called for standing with the country's Armed Forces and their stupendous success against Pakistan.

 

The Congress position on Operation Sindoor stems from a politically-motivated criticism. It has backtracked from its earlier stand of supporting the government on every possible action against terrorism after the Pahalgam attack killed 26 Hindu tourists. Internal discord has affected its thinking with the central leadership desperate to corner the government on illogical statements coming from foreign leaders and foreign media. It is playing straight into the hands of India’s adversaries who are lapping up every statement made against the Armed Forces in the Parliament to further their agenda of projecting a weak India. Despite the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister making firm statements detailing the timeline and Centre’s responses during Operation Sindoor, the obstinacy shown by Congress to question about the downed jets and damages to Indian military structures is only amplifying external narratives. By focusing on peripheral issues and thinking that it would find traction with the voters in future electoral battles with the BJP, the Congress leadership is indulging in self-deceit.

 

The Congress stand is in contrast with the national mood which has hailed the resounding success of Operation Sindoor and the might of the Indian military. PM Narendra Modi’s declaration of a “new normal” against counter-terrorism, decisive military action targeting Pakistan’s strategic bases, and carefully crafted diplomatic outreach has resonated much strongly in the country. On the other hand, the Congress has come up as a peddler of enemy agenda. It first opposed the inclusion of senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari in the all-party delegation and then stopped the duo from participating in the debate. On a matter of national security, when the Congress was supposed to stand up as a responsible stakeholder, it chose factionalism and political posturing. Regaining credibility from this low will be an uphill task for the Congress leadership which is living in an illusionary world. Contrast the Congress behaviour with conduct of Opposition parties in other countries during an anti-terror operation or a military conflict and one realises the corrosion in thinking of the party.

 

In other democracies, during times of national crisis, opposition parties have invariably chosen to be on the same page with the government of the day, for, the country’s security is paramount for every individual worth his/her salt and not petty political gains. Ahead of the 1976 raid on Entebbe to launch a daring rescue operation for hostages held by Palestine extremists, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin had called for Leader of the Opposition Menachim Begin to discuss the negotiation offer made by the hijackers. Begin’s first response was, “When has Israel started talking with terrorists, Mr Prime Minister?” It was a bold, unadulterated and defining assertion from a true patriot who was bothered only about his country’s security, its people, and its image as a no-nonsense State. The rest is history as the Israeli Defence Forces launched one of most daring operations to bring back the hijacked flight and passengers from Entebbe. There was no question asked about the strategy in the operation. Nor was there any criticism of the losses suffered during the fight with terrorists. A war, even in a short span, always comes with costs. It is illogical to think that the enemy is impotent and can be pummelled in just one stroke. The changing nature of modern warfare has further raised the cost of a skirmish as expensive technology is used to counter enemy strikes. There are bound to be damages on both sides as every technology advancement is fought with an evolved counter by the other side. Israel’s famous Iron Dome also could not prevent some Iranian missiles from striking Tel Aviv in the latest conflict. The short war between India and Pakistan also came with its own costs.

 

India might have suffered a few damages but the devastation it inflicted on Pakistan’s air bases is a major victory for the forces. A sane mind will always celebrate victory over the enemy to project the prowess of one’s country and not harp on the losses suffered. The losses will serve as a lesson for future fights and corrections will follow in this constantly evolving domain of modern warfare. What the Congress is resorting to is a pitiful strategy when it should gloat about the cutting edge the country’s forces have acquired. The Congress has failed to realise that perception is the most potent weapon in a war. It should learn from the conduct of British PM Winston Churchill during World War II. Churchill mobilised the British people for a war against Germany and along with the allied forces changed the course of history. It was done with a powerful narrative of telling the world that despite reverses, Britain’s forces are fighting hard. A simple change in tone changed the perception. The lesson for Congress is loud and clear — Never show your bleeding finger to the enemy.