Revisiting 1965 war

With a definite bruised eye in 1962 and a clear-cut victory in 1971 India has mixed feelings about 1965. Officially starting its commemoration on August 28, the day Indian soldiers captured Haji Pir Pass 50 years ago, the Modi government is projecting it as a victory celebration. The truth will come out once official war documents are declassified. Pakistan too claims victory and celebrates “Youm-e-Difa (Defence Day) on September 6. Independent accounts acknowledge that India had the upper hand. It had captured four times more territory than Pakistan. However, "in war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers,” said Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister, himself the author of the shameful Munich Agreement.

 

A war usually reflects a leadership failure. A true leader does not invite or inflict death and destruction. A war or war-mongering may help a leader capture or consolidate power. But these are all petty, personal goals. Those who have experienced a war, lost their dear ones know what it means. A life lost is dismissed as a casualty. The collateral damage — the destruction of cities/towns/villages, the cost of dislocation of people on both sides — is not even taken into account. The focus remains on who won, who lost. Money wasted in causing death can be used to improve the quality of life. Some see motives in the Modi government’s move. Lal Bahadur Shastri, a non-Nehru-Gandhi Prime Minister, is being dug out of planned oblivion like Sardar Patel, which is fine. However, also remember Shastri's slogan: “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Today the (ex-)jawan is fighting for one rank, one pension and the kisan is forced to commit suicide.

 

A nation must decide how wars, sacrifices and heroic acts of soldiers are to be commemorated. The commemoration should reflect the collective will of the people. It need not be a festive occasion or include a carnival or mock displays of operations. During the 2014 poll campaign Modi had promised a national war memorial. Finance Minister Jaitley earmarked Rs 100 crore for it in his first budget. The amount lapsed since it was not used. This year the government has decided to forget it.