Akhand Bharat, Hindutava and Indian Defence Forces

RSS is generally identified with concept of Akhand Bharat and it is generally assumed that since BJP is the political face of it, it subscribes to that opinion. However, its political leaders have not spoken about this. In fact, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he went to Lahore – Minar-e- Pakistan in 1999, it was tacit acceptance of Pakistan’s sovereignty about which India never had any doubt. We got a big threat to our territorial integrity in Kargil immediately after this. Indian political leaders do consider Pak occupied Kashmir as part of India and do mention about possibility of its military takeover time to time as part of military rhetoric or psychological warfare. In fact, Pakistan challenged India’s sovereignty by attacking Kashmir in 1947-48, Jammu in 1965 and Kargil in 1999.

 

Akhand Bharat means concept of Bharat and it includes boundaries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka and Nepal as part of Akhand Bharat. All these nations were part of Bharat at one time and have been separated by Britishers or circumstances arising out of political or socio-cultural – religious factors. This defacto separation was not accepted by RSS at any time. In fact, creation of Bangladesh busted the theory of nation based on religious line.

 

 

The question comes about the stand of BJP which for political reasons has stood for civilisational India and majority Hindu community which feel strongly aggrieved by so many issues pertaining to conversion, love jihad, UCC, control of educational and religious institution where it felt that it has been put to disadvantage by the political executive and judiciary while minority communities have been appeased again and again. BJP political stand does not necessarily mean that it is anti-Muslims or anti Christians in terms of governance or rule of law.

 

How does the political line of BJP have to do with concept of Akhand Bharat which is seen as a clear possibility by Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat in next 10-15 years? Is he looking at the military option of taking over of neighbouring nations to merge them with India? He has never articulated that but in my view a possibility of political union like European Union can never be disregarded specially when geo economics will prevail over geo politics. Uncertain times ahead can always bring that possibility.

 

Now, let us look at the statements of Northern Army commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla in which they spoke about military action for taking over of POK which India considers its own territory. Even Raksha Mantri talked about it. It is the resolution of Indian parliament. Is it related with Akhand Bharat? Military action to create Bangladesh was done under the political leadership of Mrs Indira Gandhi, who was a Congress PM and no body objected to that. How come there is an objection to the statement by military or political leaders about possible action to take over POK which is our territory? It makes no sense. Our hard statement provides no strength to Pakistan Army in their institutional fight for superiority in Pakistan establishment. We have already done that by keeping quiet even after 26/11. Present govt changed that after Balacoat strike and it will continue to do that. Please note that surgical strike inside POK, post Uri attack and Balacoat attack after Pulwama terrorist attack is the reflection of aggressive posturing of Indian defence forces and can be identified with Hindutva if that is understood as hard-line approach towards terrorism. In fact, it will find much resonance with Indian defence forces concept of aggressive defence so rarely seen during passive defence of earlier regimes. Pakistani establishment knows that and it is the reason why cease fire on LAC is holding.

 

Does the political and Hindutva agenda of BJP govt percolating to Indian defence services and affecting its operational efficiency? Let us come out of social media and look what is happening in UP where the Hindutva face of BJP Yogi govt is functioning. Look at the governance of this govt, absolutely no-nonsense, secular, rule of law and impartial administration. Even if the minorities do not vote for BJP, it is fine with BJP but rule of law is for everyone. Even when BULLDOSER is applied, rules are applied and even judiciary could not find fault with it because it is applied to all law breakers without any favouritism.

 

What can be the problem with application of this principle of governance by a Hindutva face. If this Hindutva face takes pride in customs, traditions, doctrines of Indian civilisation, I do not see any problem in adopting these in Indian defence forces. If Chinese can follow Sun Zu, why there should be problem in following Kautilaya in our teachings and learnings. It does not mean that we should not be dynamic in adopting or aligning to better doctrines for success in our war. Same principle applies in indigenisation of our weapon systems and technology where we should align with the best in the world but self-reliance has to be our focus. We have example of Kargil Infront of us when we had to import 155mm Arty shells at such exorbitant price.

 

Let us now come to civic society who are working to divide our society, creating problems even when they do not exist or supporting forces which are working for mass religious conversions targeting Hindus which has been red flagged by Supreme court. If as a nation, we suppress them, why there should be issue with Indian defence forces. Why did we accept mass migration of Hindus from valley even when the biggest command of Indian Army was located in Jammu and Kashmir? Should not we have aligned ourself with the national requirement of India and not the political requirement of one particular party which was in power in Delhi or Srinagar. Facts remain that neither Indian Muslims nor Indian Christians have problem with Hindutva or Akhand Bharat concept, it is the political parties and their vote bank politics which is creating road block and this mind set has to be changed.

 

Now I will come to the apolitical structure of Indian defence forces. Lot many critics say that Indian Military leadership is more political now, aligned with BJP or its aggressive posturing towards Pakistan or China. Most of them have conveniently forgotten what happened before 1962 debacle. Are we supposed to think that if we have aggressive defence towards our adversaries, our minorities will be unhappy? It shows a negative mindset, our minorities are at par with majority community and it is the time to let them enjoy more trust and more responsibility. Yes, there can be a problem if governance is poor or rule of law is applied in a biased

discriminatory way, come to think of it, it will happen in every nation if proper governance is not provided.

 

Problems do not exist but created by vested interest for their own political survival. India is live example. I do not think that post 26/11 when we did not take any action, Manmohan govt created any additional minority vote bank for itself. It just made a mockery of our nationhood.

 

All those who says that Hindutva or aggressive defence should be kept out of our military do not understand our forces or are not confident to provide proper governance to this country.