It is coincidental that today, August 15, we celebrate the Independence Day of the world’s largest democracy. It is indeed something to be extremely proud of, our democracy that is. We citizens, each and every one of us, have a voice. We can demand that our voice be heard. There are enough examples in our neighbourhood where this fact is not true. And the democracy we take for granted so easily, is subverted by many governments around the world. Long live India and long live this vibrant democracy.
But sometimes it makes me wonder. This complacency. Do we take freedom for granted. Do we not realise that with freedom comes responsibility? And accountability? Do we not owe something back to this society that comprises each and every one of us? Why do crib and curse the famous ‘system’ and sit back and perpetuate the problem. Why don’t we stand up and do something about it?
But that is another debate and the subject I am dealing with is democracy and its importance in times of crises. Can a democratic set-up win a war? Let us take an example. The enemy is deeply embedded in a hill feature, above us. We are out numbered and the enemy is better equipped. A battalion is entrusted with the responsibility of capturing the hill feature. Let us see democracy at work…
The platoon commander who will lead the assault comes to the battalion commander and requests a meeting who in turn calls his Brigade Commander who asks him to wait for some time. The Brigade Commander radios the Divisional Commander who then confers with his Corps Commander.
(And remember all this is conscientiously minuted, in triplicate, and filed and receipts taken.)
The Army Commander sets up a Committee who meet to discuss the best way forward, the possible alternative methods of attacks that will offer the best chances of success. The Committee publishes a White Paper after three days and sleepless nights (it is war, after all) and sends it to the Cabinet Committee on Security for their approval. They spend another couple of days on the White Paper and finally the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs tables it in Parliament for approval. Of course, this is after a special session of Parliament is called to debate the issue. Finally, the action is approved and the document containing approval of the assault on the hill is passed down the chain of command to the platoon commander who is waiting for the command to go ahead. But then, by this time, the enemy has run over the post and a new set of battle plans have to drawn up and sent to Parliament for approval.
This is an exaggerated example but isn’t this pretty much how to democratically fight a war? I am convinced that there is a need for democracy and that is what binds us citizens together. But at the same time, in times of crises, there is need for a strong hand, an iron will, nerves of steel, a time for split second decisions and the orders better be obeyed, or else there could be hell to pay. A war is won by a dictator. And the dictator is the person in charge on the frontline. The man who is leading his men to their death … or glory.
Democracy does not and can not win a war. Democracy comes into play after the battle has been won. When democrats, bureaucrats, politicians, citizens, come forward to pay respects to the martyrs and to rejoice the gallant soldiers. Till then, we need a dictator to win the war.
Are we in the middle of a crisis? Is our great country being compromised due to the democracy we hold so dear? Is it time to take some steps to stem the rot that is setting in before it is too late? Was it necessary for the trouble in Kashmir over the Amarnath issue growing out of hand? No, say many. Can the Kashmir extremism be wiped out? In about two months, I have heard people say who have the means to do it. Problems based on religious lines, education issues, sporting issues, et al. Many of these are examples of democracy gone sour. We the people need to stand up and ensure that the greatness of our country that has endured for thousands of years is not compromised.
Let us remember that when we are at war, it is not democracy that we need. Jai Hind.
But sometimes it makes me wonder. This complacency. Do we take freedom for granted. Do we not realise that with freedom comes responsibility? And accountability? Do we not owe something back to this society that comprises each and every one of us? Why do crib and curse the famous ‘system’ and sit back and perpetuate the problem. Why don’t we stand up and do something about it?
But that is another debate and the subject I am dealing with is democracy and its importance in times of crises. Can a democratic set-up win a war? Let us take an example. The enemy is deeply embedded in a hill feature, above us. We are out numbered and the enemy is better equipped. A battalion is entrusted with the responsibility of capturing the hill feature. Let us see democracy at work…
The platoon commander who will lead the assault comes to the battalion commander and requests a meeting who in turn calls his Brigade Commander who asks him to wait for some time. The Brigade Commander radios the Divisional Commander who then confers with his Corps Commander.
(And remember all this is conscientiously minuted, in triplicate, and filed and receipts taken.)
The Army Commander sets up a Committee who meet to discuss the best way forward, the possible alternative methods of attacks that will offer the best chances of success. The Committee publishes a White Paper after three days and sleepless nights (it is war, after all) and sends it to the Cabinet Committee on Security for their approval. They spend another couple of days on the White Paper and finally the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs tables it in Parliament for approval. Of course, this is after a special session of Parliament is called to debate the issue. Finally, the action is approved and the document containing approval of the assault on the hill is passed down the chain of command to the platoon commander who is waiting for the command to go ahead. But then, by this time, the enemy has run over the post and a new set of battle plans have to drawn up and sent to Parliament for approval.
This is an exaggerated example but isn’t this pretty much how to democratically fight a war? I am convinced that there is a need for democracy and that is what binds us citizens together. But at the same time, in times of crises, there is need for a strong hand, an iron will, nerves of steel, a time for split second decisions and the orders better be obeyed, or else there could be hell to pay. A war is won by a dictator. And the dictator is the person in charge on the frontline. The man who is leading his men to their death … or glory.
Democracy does not and can not win a war. Democracy comes into play after the battle has been won. When democrats, bureaucrats, politicians, citizens, come forward to pay respects to the martyrs and to rejoice the gallant soldiers. Till then, we need a dictator to win the war.
Are we in the middle of a crisis? Is our great country being compromised due to the democracy we hold so dear? Is it time to take some steps to stem the rot that is setting in before it is too late? Was it necessary for the trouble in Kashmir over the Amarnath issue growing out of hand? No, say many. Can the Kashmir extremism be wiped out? In about two months, I have heard people say who have the means to do it. Problems based on religious lines, education issues, sporting issues, et al. Many of these are examples of democracy gone sour. We the people need to stand up and ensure that the greatness of our country that has endured for thousands of years is not compromised.
Let us remember that when we are at war, it is not democracy that we need. Jai Hind.
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