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| Kargil's Martyrs: Congress-NC ignore Vijay Diwas | | Matter Of Concern | | Neha
JAMMU, July 27: On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army scored a splendid victory over Pakistan. That day it evicted the last Pakistani intruders who had occupied all heights in Kargil sector overlooking the strategic Srinagar-Leh Highway. (Pakistan under the leadership of the then Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf had conducted this anti-India operation convinced that its over 10-year-old low-intensity proxy war had not helped Islamabad to annex Kashmir.) It was a spectacular victory but to achieve it our soldiers had to lay down their precious lives. In all 527 soldiers from Indian armed forces lost their lives during the more than 60-day-long war with Pakistan. Ever since then, this day is observed as "Vijay Diwas" in different parts of the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.
On Thursday, Army Chief General Bikram Singh paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, New Delhi, on the 13th anniversary of India's victory in Kargil. At Kargil and Drass functions were held to celebrate the great military feat and pay floral tributes to all those valiant soldiers who laid down their lives while throwing out the Pakistani intruders from the sacred Indian soil. General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command, Lt. General K.T. Parnaik, led the troops as well as civilians and paid floral tributes at war memorial building in Drass. GOC of Ladakh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Rajan Bakshi and GOC 8 Mountain Division Major General Raymond Noronha also laid wreaths. Besides many war veterans and gallantry award winners and widows and relatives of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Kargil war also offered floral tributes at the War Memorial.
On Thursday, the strategic Chinar Corps celebrated the 13th Anniversary of Kargil "Vijay Diwas". In a simple but somber ceremony, Lt General Om Prakash, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, laid the wreaths at the War Memorial in Badami Bagh Cantonment and paid floral tributes to the martyrs of "Operation Vijay". Everyone present there remembered the martyrs and their splendid contribution to the cause of Mother Land. Remembering the Heroes of Kargil, they pledged to defend the borders and defeat the Pakistani evil designs at whatever cost. In Shimla, people lighted candles. In Bhiwani (Haryana), social activists gathered under the banner of Subash Chandra Bose Yuva Jagrti Samiti to remember the Kargil Heroes. At Dalhousi Cantonment, 23 Mountain Brigade remembered the Kargil martyrs. The fact is that a number of functions were held to commemorate the 13th anniversary of Kargil victory.
The most disturbing aspect of the whole situation was the conspicuous absence of Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and other Ministers and NC and Congress leaders in the "Vijay Diwas" celebrations. They neither visited Drass to remember the Kargil Heroes. Nor did they visit Badami Bagh Cantonment to lay wreath at the War Memorial.
One can understand the reasons behind the decision of the Chief Minister to ignore the "Vijay Diwas" celebration because it suits him and his party. Besides, it is too much to expect from any NC leader to ensure his presence in the "Vijay Diwas" celebrations. After all, they have been paying since 1932 "floral tributes" to the over 20 rebels who were killed on July 13, 1931 in front of and near the Central Jail Srinagar during the police-crowd clashes. These rebels were hampering the judicial proceedings started against a non-state subject Abdul Qadir, who had been preaching communalism and sedition since years and provoking Kashmiri Muslims to rise in revolt against Maharaja Hari Singh and his Government. The State Government and Kashmiri Muslims observe July 13 as "Martyrs' Day". Hence, the absence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah or for that any Kashmiri leader, in the "Vijay Diwas" celebrations was not surprising. They have never done so in the past and they will not do so in the future. In fact, they stand for the withdrawal of the Indian Army and revocation of the AFSPA. They believe the withdrawal of the Army from Kashmir is imperative to provide "breathing space" to the people of Kashmir. But why should the Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister, ignore the historic day? Should it be taken to mean that they, like the NC leaders, are also least concerned in those defending and protecting the borders and fighting out insurgents making supreme sacrifices?
It is a matter of grave concern that those at the helm of affairs in the political establishment are treating our soldiers in this manner. It doesn't happen anywhere in the world. |
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