On February 14, 2019, India lost 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans to one of the deadliest militant attacks in the country. The entire nation mourned the deaths of these brave soldiers and demanded answers as to what really unfolded in Pulwama.
Four years later, the Union government once again has chosen reticence over truth and continues to keep people in the dark. What could constitute a possible answer to all these questions – the recent revelations made by the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir raise serious questions about India’s national security, the competence of the current government, and the health of our democracy. The stoic silence maintained by the Union government on these revelations is disturbing and should deeply concern every citizen of the country. What appears equally disturbing is the self-declared censoring by a huge section of electronic media in deciding not to cover such an issue of great national importance.
Satya Pal Malik, who was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir when the Pulwama attack happened, disclosed how the attack could have been easily averted if the government had not undermined the security of the soldiers. According to him, despite the lingering threat of terrorist activities, the convoy of Pulwama martyrs travelled through unmanned roads and was denied aircraft support as well. If true, the Union government’s attempt to palliate its reckless disregard for the security of soldiers and national territory cannot be excused.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay tribute to the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama attack, at AFS Palam in New Delhi, February 15, 2019. Credit: PTI/Manvender Vashist
While members of the ruling party were quick to subvert the credibility of the former governor, the government has neither issued an official statement explaining why this information is false nor organised a press conference to answer the questions that every citizen has on the issue and would have addressed the national hurt. Even when the government across the border has issued statements, why does our government continue to turn a deaf ear to such a critical question of national security?
Also read: ‘Modi Silenced Me on Lapses Leading to Pulwama, Is Ignorant on J&K, Has No Problem with Corruption’
The phrase “aap abhi chup rahe (keep quiet for now)” has become a symbolic representation of the severe lack of transparency in the country. Prime Minister’s effort to silence governor Malik from speaking out against the security and intelligence lapses indicates the priorities of the current government in respect of the security of the nation vis-à-vis winning elections for the ruling party. In the absence of any information to the contrary, would it not be safe to conclude that the government tried to enforce this gag on the governor to clear itself of any accountability after the attack?
Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of every democracy. An informed citizenry ensures meaningful public participation and democratic oversight. The existence of information asymmetry between the state and the citizens is a sign of a failing democracy. When it comes to defence, secrecy is accepted as a valid exception, however the same cannot be weaponised to mislead people and hide government’s failure to protect the armed forces. Currently, defence makes up for 13% of India’s total budgetary outlay and it is the right of citizens to know how their elected government is spending the taxpayers’ money and ensuring the security of the country.
Parliament is one institution that is most crucial for ensuring transparency and the free flow of information in the country. Unfortunately, in recent times, a debate or a discussion regarding defence and security has become a far cry for parliamentarians. Questions and concerns raised by the members, especially from the opposition are either disallowed or provided with a lacklustre response.
After the Pulwama attack in 2019, parliamentarians from both houses have asked the government about the probe that is being conducted into the attack, however, the government has consistently maintained that the matter is still under investigation and refuses to provide any information. To this day, a detailed report on the attack and the outcome of the investigation remain unknown.
While the past is behind us, the painful memory of Pulwama lives on. It is ironic that after politicising the tragedy for four years, the same Union government is reluctant to answer any questions regarding its own role in the incident. Why were more than 2500 personnel moving without adequate protection from the government? Whether the government had any prior information about the terror threat? Why was aircraft support denied to these soldiers? It is the responsibility of the democratically elected Union government to answer all these questions in the most unequivocal manner. Its refusal to tell the truth severely undermines the principles of democracy.
Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha is an MP (Rajya Sabha) and is associated with Rashtriya Janata Dal. Soumya Jain is a LAMP (Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament) Fellow.