Prof Nutan K Resutra
Let me first of all apologise from my esteemed readers. For, I am an outdated person when it comes to acting in consonance with what is called “the Modern Opposition Political Dictum”. Right from my school days, I have been taught that the most sacred religion is Deshprem. “Country First” was the unwritten, unspoken dictum applicable to all, irrespective of any political affiliations of individuals. I have purposely here used the word “was”. And the reason for this? Now; the new dictum in market goes “Power aur kursi first; rest all baad mein!”
Everything was going on well till the general elections of 2014. We had become used to terror attacks, bomb-blasts, Chinese provocations and, above all, proxy war by Pakistan. And we were happy with all this under the Congress Government in the Centre. We the Hindus had also happily embraced the term Bhagva Aatankvaad, and accepted the affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court that Ram did not exist and He was an imaginary entity: so no need for a Ram Temple! Not an eye-brow was raised when the present Leader of Opposition had thundered in America that Saffron Terrorism was bigger threat than SIMI or Lashkar-e-Toiba.
But then, all hell let loose when Modi became the Prime Minister. Friends, I am not a die-hard fan of Modi Ji, but I do fully support him when he makes me feel a proud Hindu and a respectable Indian who knows how to bleed Pakistani nose when it slaps me with terror attacks. And this is exactly what has not gone well with the current Opposition political parties. For, everything is happening what they could never imagine to do during their own rule.To be kind to them, they might be having their own compulsions and appeasement issues! And of course, unexpected things have really happened. A strike inside Myanmar; Operation Uri; Balakot; safely bringing back of Squadron Leader Abhinandan Varthaman; and now Operation Sindoor. All these events were the one that had happened never before.
I had read the bestseller “Jaws” where during the climax fight between the shark and the man, the hunter realises: “suddenly, the rules of the game seemed to have changed.” The hunter becomes hunted. Now also, I feel suddenly the rules of the game have changed. From being anti-government; the opposition parties have become anti-country. Scathing attacks are being launched, not on the policies and acts of the government but sacred Institutions such as Army and Armed Forces. Questions are being raised on the conduct and functioning of these Institutions as if these were the government themselves!
Perhaps the most sacred and dignified post in a rich democracy as India is that of the Leader of Opposition (LoP); even more respectable than the Prime Minister himself. I say it because this is the prime duty of the LoP to exercise check and balance on the government. He is guardian of the Constitution and this is his duty to ensure that the ruling party does not go beyond its realms. I am reminded of the wisdom, patriotism and vision of the then LoP Atal Behari Vajpayee whom the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would often take into confidence before all major issues; one such being the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Even being in opposition, Vajpayee represented India on the International fora, akin to Shashi Tharoor. And what have we got in the present LoP?
While opposing Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi seems to have become totally confused and is not able to distinguish between BJP and the country; going to the extreme extent of being anti-India. I will not talk of his secret agreements with China; or his rhetorics of asking America and England to intervene with the so -called purpose of saving democracy in India. As quoted by S. Jaishankar the EAM, Rahul Gandhi took guidance from the Chinese Ambassador during the Galwan crisis. Right from Operation Uri to Balakot, he questioned our brave forces by asking proof of strikes. And now, he seems to have stuck at the point of asking only one question: how many of our planes were shot down in Operation Sindoor? Strangely, this is not even asked by the Pakistanis themselves. Is questioning strategic aspects of an operation of national importance prudent? Well, I doubt. His Party- being more than hundred years old- still demands proof that the killers of Pahalgam massacre were from Pakistan; whereas The Resistance Force or TRF itself claimed “credit” for sadistic asking religion and then shooting in the heads of Hindus. And Pakistan was too eager to protect TRF on the International arena, while successfully blocking its name in the UN Security Council condemnation of ghastly attack. One wonders if the LoP and his Party are spokespersons for Pakistan, giving it a clean chit and always casting doubts on the actions of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. And what for? It seems his ever- losing elections and his lust for power has put a cloud on his ability to differentiate between opposing the ruling party and opposing India; going to the extent of what can be called treason.
I had read somewhere that a cartoon can say more effectively what thousand words cannot. And today’s cartoon in the STATE TIMES aptly depicts the position of our LoP where Pakistan FM Munir while hearing his speech is asking Shahbaaz Sharief: Shall we include him in our party? And the reply comes: No…no. We already have many in Pak” The word is too strong for me to be used. But then, the cartoon aptly describes the once highly respected position of the LoP.
Let us hope against hope that he starts criticising and guiding the government on other serious issues of national importance, instead of going Anti-India!
(The author is former Principal GGM Science College and former Chairman, J&K BOSE)