Govt should share Kargil report

He was of the view that holding of an in-camera meeting could be possible if the opposition leaders make a commitment to behave in a responsible and mature way. This is one of the major factors that is prompting the government to hold back the report, he said and hastened to clarify that he was not making any political statement. He also recalled that those in power today also showed lack of maturity on such sensitive issues in the past when they were in the Opposition.

Gadgil turned to journalism after a short stint in the Army. Opting to work as war correspondence with newspapers and agencies, he had the experience of covering wars with Pakistan and also the Vietnam war. He shared his views on defence matters, ranging from the need for conducting a war correspondence course on a regular basis to the style of handling of defence matters by successive defence ministers.

The senior journalist was highly critical of the Kargil review Committee chairman. He charged that Subrahmanyam always wanted to remain on the right side of the ruling party. In an effort to save the Vajpayee Government from possible embarrassment, he transgressed his limits and suggested that a part of the report should not be made public.

He also advocated a hardline against Pakistan and forcefully demanded India should snap diplomatic ties with Pakistan and work for isolation of that country internationally. He was of the view that normal relations with Pakistan were impossible. The Indian leadership tried honestly to normalise the relationship but Pakistan backstabbed at every possible opportunity. The very basis of Pakistan was anti-India and whoever ruled Pakistan it would continue to be so, he said.

To a question, Gadgil said the country had the best Defence Minister in Babu Jagjivan Ram, a man with a sturdy common sense. The present incumbent George Fernandes suffered from the foot-in-the-mouth syndrome and made statements causing diplomatic embarrassment to the country, he added.