The facts of life

Whatever our infirmities, we can ill-afford to demoralise the team which has to fight the battle. Even if with a heavy heart, every Indian should stand by the government and help it do whatever it can to reclaim the nation’s lost honour, writes Ajit Doval.

Former head of R&AW and security expert speaks for the first time:

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Whatever our infirmities, we can ill-afford to demoralise the team which has to fight the battle. Even if with a heavy heart, every Indian should stand by the government and help it do whatever it can to reclaim the nation’s lost honour. This is not the best time to ask for heads, it will only cheer our enemies. Media has a crucial role to play in not sapping the will of the nation. Let us first win the battle; accountability can follow.

Let us prove our enemies wrong in estimating India’s tolerance as infinite just because a few people do not measure up to the responsibilities destiny thrust on them. India’s intrinsic power is far beyond the weaknesses of the few and given the support, it can even make its C-team to win.

Depending on the US or any other country without our taking the lead role will not prove productive. No one is going to subordinate his interests for our sake. But if we rise to the occasion with speed and determination, many will support us.

Let the opposition parties, media, intellectuals and public lend full support to the government and not force it to do things against its better judgment. Just as it was regrettable that hysterical public opinion and a TRP-sensitive media forced the government to release terrorists in the Kandahar hijack against its wishes, the nation may regret some day that it forced the government to do things in the aftermath of Mumbai which were not in India’s best interests. This may be a chance to improve things both within and without. Let it not be one more missed opportunity.