Former defence officers hit out at Minister Nitin Gadkari's recent tirade against Indian Navy
Col. Kirit Joshipura speaks as (L to R) Capt Raj Mohindra, Capt Ashok Batra, CMDE M Bhada and Maj SK Lamba listen at the meet at the Press Club yesterday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
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It was high drama at Mumbai's Press Club next to Azad Maidan, on Monday evening as four former Navy officers, Capt Raj Mohindra (retd) Capt Ashok Batra (retd), Commodore Mike Bhada (retd) and Maj. S K Lamba (retd) and an army veteran, hit back at Minister Nitin Gadkari's recent tirade against Indian Navy officers for being "anti-development and stalling permission to build a floating jetty in the city."
In remarks that had shocked the nation, Gadkari had stated, in the presence of Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that the obstacles put in place by the Navy were part of "a habit" in which developmental works are stalled. Gadkari qualifying his statements by saying that he respected the navy added that, "The Navy should be there at the borders, from where terrorists strike and sneak into our country. Why do all in the Navy want to stay in South Mumbai? I will not give an inch of land," he had thundered.
Intellectual arrogance
Veteran army man Col. (retd) Kirit Joshipura (82) who is from Delhi but was in the city, "with reference to one rank one pension issue," said at the Mumbai press meet along with his Navy colleagues that Gadkari's remarks are a result of, "intellectual arrogance and frustration. Did the Navy ask for personal land? Isn't having a floatel in the sea a security risk?" Joshipura says Gadkari's remarks were "hitting below the belt. When I hear such remarks I think, was it worth fighting for this? Was it worth seeing my colleagues die in front of me?" The veteran of four wars stated that men in uniform, "continue to be treated as punching bags because we are not a vote bank."
Anguish outlet
Mumbai's Capt. Batra said, "Today people are asking us what we want from Mr Nitin Gadkari? Do we want an apology? We do not want an apology. Through this meet we wanted to reinforce that it is very important for leaders not to do what has been done. We simply wanted the media to project the anguish that has been caused to serving and retired officers by the Minister's remarks."
Puncture morale
For Commodore M Bhada, "This was to convey the agony and anguish of those currently serving in the defence forces, which have no recourse to give a reaction to these statements however hurt they may be. I say to the people in power, that do not ill-treat and mismanage the defence services, this is the last bastion. These remarks puncture the morale of the forces. If there was a Naval officer's son present there, he may think: dad, why should I become a defence person when they are treated like this? This is taking advantage of them because they cannot react.
We and serving officers do not want an apology. Of course if Mr. Gadkari wants to, he can write a private letter to the Navy chief apologizing for his remarks. What this really is, is about igniting that spark of anger amongst the general people who are also angry at the Minister's statements, and turning that spark into a fire."
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