Government Should Come Clean on Operation Sindhoor

Even weeks after the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, following the heinous terrorist attacks on tourists in jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam village, the Government of India is still refusing to divulge the exact nature of the military confrontation and its after effects. In fact, the demand for a special session of Parliament, made by the principal Opposition parties, has been rejected by the Central Government. Instead of a fair and impartial discussion on the matter in the highest legislative forum of the country, what the nation has received so far is a deafening silence.

This is a matter of serious concern to our national security. Following the military confrontation, various international powers, including the United States, have claimed credit for bringing it to a conclusion, avoiding a nuclear encounter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has addressed public meetings to claim victory, has never said a word dismissing such claims on the part of imperialist powers like the US. Here a moot question arises as to what extent India is cooperating with powers like the US and Israel in its defence arrangements. It is a known fact that India ahs been more proactive in defence affairs with the US and Israel in recent years, especially after the BJP took power at the Centre.

What is more disturbing is the failure to provide correct information to the Indian public, even as senior officials are talking to international media about the military conflict. While Indian authorities gave no information to the country on its losses in the encounter, the Chief of Defence Staff told an international news agency that India did face substantial losses, including some highly prized fighter aircraft.

Another disturbing aspect is the failure of the Government to consult Opposition parties even when they unilaterally selected members to the parliamentary delegations that visited foreign countries. What was the criterion for the selection, other than the ruling party’s domestic political interests? They selected some individuals with a view to sow discord in Opposition parties and make petty political scores. Is it right on the part of the Government to convert a national crisis into an opportunity to score political gains, offering cushy junkets to favoured individuals as a compensation for their services in domestic political games?

Elyas Muhammed Thumbe
National general secretary
Social Democratic Party of India