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Journalism of Courage
SC signal is clear: govt must find a way out of its bruising confrontation over the army chiefs age
With the Supreme Court criticising the defence ministrys handling of confusion over the army chiefs date of birth,the Central government must consider ways in which the issue can be pulled back from the brink not just to cut its political losses in this instance,but to take the confrontational edge off the interface between the defence ministry and army leadership. Indeed,the court has given the government a weeks space to get a grip on the issue. To do so,the government needs to stop being on the defensive,and begin finding a solution.
It is time the government stopped seeing the case in terms of a purely legal brief. The political risk in persisting with a stated position in court,come what may,was made obvious in the UPA governments rigidity on appointing P.J. Thomas as CVC. However,the government and the army chief should bear in mind the bruises from the current case would not just be political,they could have long-lasting implications for the army. Neither can afford to be on the wrong side of history. The government must strike an enlightened path to get out of this impasse. Statecraft ultimately hinges on the art of persuasion this crisis calls on the government to persuade public opinion that,given the circumstances,its next step will be in the larger interest.
