L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Dispassionately discuss the N-deal

The Lok Sabha goes to decide the fate of the UPA government on July 22. If the UPA wins the trust vote, the nuclear deal would naturally stay. What will happen to the deal if the UPA government is voted out?

Is it already in an auto drive as the Left parties presume or will it collapse with the fall of the UPA government? If it is to go with the government, why is the UPA presenting its case regarding the nuclear deal to the members of the IAEA and the NSG?

The main issue before the nation as well as Parliament is whether to go ahead with the nuclear deal or not. Governments will come and go but the nuclear deal will affect the future of our country to a very great extent.

It will be sensible for the Lok Sabha to discuss the nuclear deal dispassionately and objectively and decide its fate independent of the future of the UPA. It can then take on the issue of vote of confidence. The duration of the special session of the Lok Sabha may be prolonged, if required.

Lt Col (retd) H.S. GUR, Hisar

II

The way The Tribune has been building public opinion in favour of the nuclear deal is commendable. The present goings-on in the country have given rise to anger, despair and cynicism. The ordinary, intelligent citizens are helplessly watching the unfolding political drama. Youth are seething with anger. And our honourable Members of Parliament, most of whom are past their prime, want to make the best of the bargain.

Pundits are working hard to predict the victory or downfall of the government. Whatever the outcome, India will certainly emerge either as a strong democracy or a strong mobocracy. In the meantime let us all hope “the peacock must not be replaced as the national bird by the ostrich” (Nani Palkhiwala). 

LAKHA SINGH, Sarhali, (Tarn Taran)

III

Of all the serving Prime Ministers and Presidents in the world, Dr Manmohan Singh is the most qualified and most educated. The nuclear deal is good not only for the nation but also for Punjab because it has already been declared that if the deal goes through, Punjab would get two nuclear power plants.

Unlike other petty politicians, Dr Manmohan Singh is not fighting for any personal gain but for a deal, which the intelligentsia knows, is in the interest of the country.

NARINDER SINGH, Yamunanagar

Defence Chiefs

The defence Chiefs are appointed to lead their respective services, both in war and peace, against external and internal threats, natural and man-made calamites and provide aid to civil authorities when necessary. In order to perform the very best, they should not be put under any pressure. Their head and heart should be totally free to make them deliver the very best.  

However, there have been numerous occasions when the Chiefs have been criticised for making statements which are well within their jurisdiction and within the framework of national policy/stated stance/norms.

They have been ridiculed for their statements, which not only is unfair to them but is also a blunder by the political setup. They are encouraging the Chiefs to become sycophants of the political establishment; in the soldering terms, it means making them timid.

Decisions of a timid General will adversely affect the battle-winning attitude of the forces. If Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was able to win the 1971 war, his boldness and tenacity was a major contributory factor.

Some recent examples of unfair criticism are: General Padmanabhan’s remark on Pakistan in the backdrop of a nuclear threat, General Deepak Kapoor’s remarks on conscription in the Army to make up the shortfall of officers, his remarks on China and recent criticism of his sending a report to the Supreme Commander regarding the injustice done to the defence services by the Sixth Pay Commission.

On all these occasions the Generals were right. Such criticism is totally uncalled for. Let the office of a Chief of the defence services be not politicised and turned into a sycophant’s office, serving only the interests of the government in power rather than the interests of national security and sovereignty of the country.

Maj Gen SATBIR SINGH, Gurgaon