THE BOLD Air Force pilot went by the book and refused to fly Rahul Gandhi in Assam citing bad weather. Such officers who call a spade a spade are a rarity now. The political culture of psychophancy and lack of moral courage have overwhelmed the system of governance, which is seething with financial corruption. The Defence Services too stand infected by corrupt politicians.
The Raksha Mantri, AK Antony who is a Congress party member and a loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family also tried to throw his weight around but the IAF officer-pilot refused to budge. In the Air Force parlance, he found it too dangerous to fly VIP Cargo in the bad weather there. Thank God his service headquarters stood by his decision and did not overrule him despite political pressure.
One wonders why a non-authorised person like Rahul Gandhi was given the facility to fly in a Service chopper? May be his party, the Congress hired it for him. Nevertheless he is obliged to observe the rule of flying. His family bonds cannot defy the IAF rules on flying. It is advisable for political persons not to tinker with the discipline and morale of service personnel as that would not be in the interest of national defence.
History reminds us that VK Krishna Menon, the Defence Minister in 1960s had treated the fighting forces as his fiefdom and lowered the morale of the fighting man. Consequently, India had lost the war to China in 1962. Let the Indian nation not allow history to repeat itself.
It may be mentioned in the passing that some politicians misused Air Force choppers in the past and flew to their village homes without paying for the hire charges. The outstanding bills stare in the face of spineless politicians who presided over the proceeding of the Rakha Mantralaya. Thus the Armed Forces are denuded of their resource by the enemy within. The enemy across the borders laughs in its sleeves and thanks the powers that be across the fence.
Julius Ceasar was aghast when his dear friend, Brutus thrust his knife into his body and just said, “Et tu Brute”.
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