GOVT SOURCES TRY TO SULLY GEN VK SINGHS NAME AT THE ALTER OF POLITICS

GOVT SOURCES TRY TO SULLY GEN VK SINGHS NAME AT THE ALTER OF POLITICS NATIONAL SECURITY BE DAMNED FOR VOTE BANK POLITICS Blunders galore- Vijay Oberoi General V K Singh, the erstwhile chief of the Indian Army, is back in the news for the wrong reasons. What started as a ‘political’ issue has gathered momentum and is now becoming a security issue, which is harming the nation. A slanderous and largely speculative leak by the UPA and its minions was the start of this unfortunate episode. It has now developed a momentum of its own, which is doing incalculable harm, not only to the dramatis personae involved in this episode, but to the security of the nation and the image of the country. A great pity indeed, as such blunders by the government cost the nation dear. They also affect the image of the ruling party adversely. Although I am an apolitical person, I am not ignorant of the shenanigans political personalities and parties in our country resort to. My interest is neither in parties nor personalities but in my country, which seems to be irrelevant to the political class! With this clarification made, let me shift gear and share my perceptions relating to this sorry episode, by first placing the main issues in their correct perspective. The persons charged with the ruling party’s campaign in the run-up to the General Election, were so rattled by the grand success of the veterans’ rally at Rewari that they decided on immediate retaliation. Unfortunately, the method they chose of leaking so-called ‘hot’ news to a supportive newspaper was the one that had not worked over a year back. In their hurry, they ignored that not only the newspaper but also the minions of the government who had initiated that particular operation last year to discredit V K Singh had failed miserably. On this occasion, they picked up an enquiry that had been conducted by the army in respect of a small unit of the Military Intelligence that had allegedly been misused during the tenure of Singh. The enquiry had been finalised early this year; had been seen by various functionaries of the government; the unit had been disbanded; and the case had been closed, with no wrongdoings coming to light. Despite this, the ‘wise’ campaign managers of the ruling party chose this case to discredit Singh, thinking that this would help them control the damage inflicted by the Opposition’s ‘success’ in making inroads in a so-far untapped segment of voters, viz the veterans and serving personnel of the military. The events that followed are too well known to bear repeating, but I do want to dilate on the security aspects of this unfortunate episode. Intelligence operations, whether by the military or other agencies, have two cardinal principles. The first is complete secrecy about planning and conduct, as well as the intended targets. The second and more important is the methodology adopted. Let me state unequivocally that cash inducements have been and will continue to be a method all intelligence gathering agencies, of all countries, employ. So, those who are pretending to be ‘holier than thou’ should pipe down lest additional details get revealed! Counter-intelligence agencies of our adversary countries and other entities are constantly on the lookout for any information that will give them an inkling of such operations, so that they can take action to counter them and launch their own operations. Agencies of third countries also want to know about such operations, for using at an appropriate time in future, either to curry favours with the adversary countries or employ similar methods by their own operatives against countries inimical to them. The government and party functionaries, who have spilled the beans by roping in a willing, albeit discredited newspaper and leaking classified information that they thought would help them in their party’s campaign, have jeopardised many important aspects of intelligence operations that both the military and other agencies of the nation conduct. Singh, having been bombarded with all kinds of allegations, had his back to the wall. He was therefore forced to respond. This was a natural reaction, especially as the allegations were very serious and were meant to tarnish his character. In the bargain, he too came out with some aspects that were best not made public. Unlike the party functionaries and the bureaucrats holding important offices in the Central government, who have little or no knowledge of strategies and tactics that professional outfits employ, the General, being a highly professional person, fully ‘au fait’ with security matters, should have been discreet while defending himself. The Military Intelligence unit that apparently was the cause celebre’ of this entire episode had provided extremely valuable information to the security forces that had enabled them to take timely action against a number of Jehadi groups. Its disbandment for electoral and personal reasons of some inimical dignitaries has created a big void and given a setback to the workings of our intelligence organisations. This vilification campaign needs to stop forthwith, before more damage is caused to our intelligence efforts and the nation’s security. The political parties should also learn that using foul means of this type, wherein the office of the chief of the army is attempted to be sullied, has highly negative connotations for the nation as well as the army. Our apolitical military must not be made a football for the politicos to play their games, in a bid to boost electoral prospects. The military and its hierarchy, past or present, must be left alone. They have always served the nation with loyalty and are now probably the only organisation left in the country that is holding it from going down the abyss