Opinion Army in James Bond drama

Of late the army has been continuously in the news about events reminiscent of a James Bond movie.

Soli J. Sorabjee

April 8, 2012 03:16 AM IST First published on: Apr 8, 2012 at 03:16 AM IST

Army in James Bond drama

Of late the army has been continuously in the news about events reminiscent of a James Bond movie. A retired army officer has the audacity to offer a huge bribe of Rs 14 crore to the Army Chief. One would have expected the Chief to instantly push him out of the room,a course Sam Manekshaw would have undoubtedly adopted. Instead,the Chief reports the matter to the Defence Minister,does not file any complaint and curiously forgets all about the shameful incident until his recent public disclosure. The Army Chief in his confidential letter to the Prime Minister lists various deficiencies in our armys unpreparedness to meet any external attack. This letter is leaked. Who leaked it is a typical James Bond mystery. To cap the climax,there are reports in The Indian Express of unusual troop movements giving rise to suspicions. The PM described the report as alarmist,the Defence Minister called it absolutely baseless and the Army Chief rubbished it as most stupid. The newspaper stands by its report. And as a result of this drama unfolding daily in the print and electronic media,the world and in particular Pakistan and China,know about the nations state of defence. In my view,the army can never successfully stage a coup in our country. Our army is a professional body and has not been politicised. Besides,India is a large country and Indian people will never accept a military regime. Let us reflect on the demoralising effect of these happenings on our brave jawans and on the honour and dignity of the army and draw a curtain on these unseemly controversies.

Mamatas misconception of press freedom

The hallmark of a democratic government is its willingness to permit dissent. The unmistakable sign of an autocratic government is its attempt to suppress and penalise criticism of its actions and policies. The West Bengal governments directive that libraries aided by the State should subscribe to only certain selected newspapers is violative of the Freedom of the Press. The recent reported statement of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that if I am attacked,I can counter-attack displays dangerous misconception about press freedom. It is not realised that freedom of the press embraces a variety of rights. The right guaranteed is not only the individual right of the proprietor of the newspaper,or the editor,or the journalist. It includes within its capacious content the collective right of the community; the right of citizens to read and to be informed. In substance,it is right of the people to know. The threat of counter-attack is in reality an attack on the citizens freedom to read and be informed. Undoubtedly freedom of the press is not absolute and if any newspaper publishes news and views which incite racial or religious violence or are plainly defamatory by all means institute legal proceedings against the offending newspaper. But it is impermissible to muzzle newspapers or to punish them for their severe criticism of the States policies or the functioning of its CM by the expedient of excluding them from State aided public libraries. These fascist attempts are condemnable indeed unconstitutional,and must be countered promptly and vigorously.

Glad tidings from Burma

Aung San Suu Kyi,endearingly called the Lady,by her people,is a veritable embodiment of courage. Thanks to the repressive Burmese military regime she spent 22 years in detention or house arrest. She is now free and is the leader of Burmas main pro-democracy party,the National League for Democracy (NLD). In recent by-elections in Burma,the NLD won 44 of the 45 seats at stake. This is refreshing news. It indicates a welcome change in the mindset of the military. Besides there is more than a possibility that she can become President in 2015. Inshallah. The Lady is no stranger to India. Part of her education was in Delhi. Her visit to India should be on top of the list of foreign dignitaries to visit India.