Operation Sindoor A triumph politicized not celebrated News 18 01 Aug 2025 Maj Gen Harsha Kakar

https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-operation-sindoor-a-triumph-politicised-not-celebrated-ws-kl-9477714.html

Operation Sindoor: A triumph politicized not celebrated News 18 01 Aug 2025

          The Operation Sindoor debate in parliament was a disgrace to say the least. The impression conveyed is that Indian politicians, desperate to take over reins in Delhi, were speaking through their hat, without a clue of basics of military strategy as also largely unaware of what transpired in those few days of operations between India and Pakistan. Even school children would have better knowledge than most of them.

It appeared that their intent was to discredit the armed forces for conducting a successful operation without major loss of military lives on our side as also avoiding collateral damage across. Negativity was visible throughout the debate. Not a single politician began his address by congratulating the forces for having brought Pak to its knees in just 88 hours, something Israel failed to do in 12 days against Iran, despite Iranian air defences being rendered redundant. It had to beg the US for help.

In India’s case, China was behind Pak, providing it with satellite and real-time inputs on movement of all weaponry. In reality, India was fighting Pak backed by Chinese weaponry, technology and intelligence inputs all by itself. Its performance was truly laudable.

One member questioned why India’s top aircraft, Rafale, engaged enemy targets from within Indian territory, rather than crossing the border, unaware of the fact that this is why modern aircraft are procured. His remarks displayed that he has no clue of air operations but has to speak to impress his party leader, even if he displays ignorance. The end result was that he became a laughing stock, not only within the military and veteran community but also across the nation. Social media enthusiasts know better than these so-called political heavyweights.

          Another quoted Pakistan media on Indian aircraft losses. His statement, lacking any proof, provided anti-India elements, especially those across the border, the very meat they were seeking. Even Trump mentioned four to five aircraft were downed, avoiding naming any country. It was a desperate Pakistan which twisted Trump’s statement to imply India. Pakistan has been trying to hide their aircraft losses, the solution to which is being provided by Indian politicians in parliament.

          A third MP called Operation Sindoor a ‘tamasha.’ An operation whose success was noted by the world and brought a nuclear power to its knees in days can be anything but a ‘tamasha.’ Such poor statements indicate how biased are our politicians. It also displays their poor regard for efforts put forth by the armed forces in protecting interests of the nation. Do we deserve such thankless leaders. 

          One politician even went on to compare Donald Trump with McDonalds, claiming India must ban McDonalds because, he assumed, it is owned by Trump. Don’t our politicians check their facts before they speak and embarrass themselves. Another questioned the timing of Operation Mahadev where the three Pak terrorists, involved in the Pahalgam attack, were gunned down. If the army has to seek permission from parliament prior to launching anti-terrorist operations, then the nation’s future is in jeopardy.

          Why is loss of Indian fighter jets so important for our politicians? Is it to let the nation’s forces down or prove they failed? No nation ever declares its material losses, even if they occur, and India is no different.   

As rightly brought out by the defence minister, not a single opposition politician wanted to know how many enemy aircraft were downed nor the number of terrorist camps and Pakistan posts destroyed as also the material and personnel losses they had. These are the very politicians who hope to lead our nation in the future.  

The whole game plan of the opposition in parliament was to blunt the success achieved thereby reducing the ability of the ruling dispensation of exploiting it politically. They ended up degrading the armed forces, while giving Pakistan a safe base to cover their losses as also justify their promoting Asim Munir as their failed field marshal.

The Indian armed forces are appreciated across the nation for their selfless sacrifice and devotion to duty. However, for politicians’ they are a white elephant because their performance supports the government in power. It was embarrassing to listen to the knowledge of those whom we elect to represent us. It actually compels some of us to think whether we truly deserve this form of democracy where anyone can be elected.

          What was worse was that political parties kept those with knowledge and awareness on Operation Sindoor out of the debate, solely because they would not tow their anti-armed forces and anti-national line. It only highlighted that political parties had an agenda of announcing to the world that India’s armed forces had failed and that too publicly in parliament, whose proceedings are globally observed.

Every political party in the country has ex-military officers in their ranks. They are seen in flights, airports, rallies and walkathons wearing miniature service medals and side caps, conveying their status as veterans. It is incumbent on them to brief those nominated on what is the reality, to prevent them from displaying ignorance in public. Possibly political parties consider them unworthy to be listened to.

While the intent may have been to embarrass the government on Operation Sindoor, it ended up as claiming the armed forces failed. This played to the advantage of Pakistan and China, which were desperate to project the operation as unsuccessful and losses largely of India. Rather than boost the morale of the forces it ended up politicizing the armed forces, something which should always be avoided.

Imagine the impact of the debate on the morale of a soldier who is involved in operations day and night in Kashmir battling terrorists and preventing infiltration, as also of pilots who risked their all to destroy Pak terrorist camps and their strategic assets. Not a word was mentioned for the efforts of those who used their ingenuity to ensure that not a single missile or drone of Pak caused any damage to Indians and its strategic assets. In sum, the armed forces are expendable except when votes are sought.

It was the PM and his cabinet colleagues who appreciated the success achieved by the armed forces and sought appreciation by all present, to which the response was muted. While the national public respects the soldier, some politicians mock him and his efforts. A glance at social media would indicate how the Indian public looked at the parliament debate and what their opinion of our so-called high-flying leaders are.