The statement by the chief of defense staff Anil chauhan during his interview in Singapore has cornered the modi administration. He not only accepted the downing of jets but also to tactical mistakes which he said was corrected and as a result superior results were achieved two days later. This is a very honest and professional response from the chief. It’s a given that no battle plan survives the war and losses happen but humility allows us to learn, rectify and win. So our forces did. The question now lies squarely on the political leadership, did it show similar humility. To be answerable and accountable to the people, the opposition and the parliament. The cold shoulder our all party delegations are receiving on foreign lands is reflective of this lack of humility in our political leadership. Military combat is just a part of any war, the real fight must be fought on the diplomatic front. If we cannot put our concerns effectively and isolate the opponent, battlefield victories wouldn’t last long.
The way this government has brazened out all questions to protect the strongman image of the prime minister is against all traditions of democracy. That the opposition was asking this was not to run down our forces but to emphasize the importance of a strong air fleet which the hurried purchase of 36 rafales instead of 126 dangerously depleted. Also that such purchases need greater field trials and transparency. The same humility is missing when the government fails to listen to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are demanding their statehood back. The pahalgam and earlier pulwama attacks have shattered the center’s claim of higher security. It’s time for the government to learn some humility.
Hubris meeting its nemesis
