Sheikh Fakhar-e-Alam
Indian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat died in a tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on 8th December 2021. Once Rawat had said in an egoistic way that we would change DNA of Kashmiris but he himself went through a DNA test for body verification. He was appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. This position was created by PM Modi especially as a gift for his services like managing two elections for PM Modi, snubbing Indian opposition, sharing kickbacks in Indian military equipment’s deals such as Rafale with BJP leadership, and projecting fake surgical strikes drama to give political boost to BJP.
Rawat had the reputation of being a strong believer of RSS ideology and Hindutva-driven forces, which compelled PM Modi to pick him as a candidate for COAS. He served as a 27th Indian COAS from 2016 to 2019 by superseding two senior officers. Throughout his career, he remained in the limelight by sparking controversies with his comments on political developments.
His superseded colleagues and critiques usually contended that his father was a Lieutenant General in Indian Army and his mother was daughter of a politician, whose influences were used to award him “Sword of Honour” at National Defence College / Indian Military Academy despite being a mediocre cadet. By facilitating US designs in India, he was invited for a training course with the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
In 2015, Gen Rawat initiated India’s first officially declared surgical strikes on foreign territory when he sent troops of a para-commando battalion to attack Naga freedom fighters inside Myanmar after making propaganda of fake ambush on Indian troops. He violated the international norms and compromised the sovereignty of the independent nation. In the same year, he survived a helicopter crash in the north-eastern state of Nagaland based on internal rifts within the ranks.
Gen Bipin Rawat was the mastermind of the concept of “Theatre Commands” on which the Indian Navy and Air Force had a strong fear that they would be brought under command of Indian Army. It is also a matter of fact that an extreme level of controversy was started by Gen Bipin Rawat a few months ago when he had given a negative statement against the Indian Air Force by tagging it as only a ‘supporting arm’ and not a fighting arm. This power grabbing started internal rifts within different fractions of the Indian Army as he was rebuked publicly by Indian Air Force Chief by saying that Air Force is an instrument of power in itself. Now it is perceived by the Indian policy circles that the idea of “Theatre Commands” has died with Gen Bipin Rawat.
Apparently, death of Gen Bipin Rawat took place as a result of rivalry within the Tri services of Indian Armed Forces. The Chopper, Mi-17V5, is a boosted version of the Mi-17 which has been especially upgraded for carrying VVIPs. The aircraft was fully fit, with no bad weather conditions or engine failure etc. Interestingly the only survivor from 14 people is Group Captain Varun Singh who is an Air Force officer, the rest were all from the army. In these circumstances, it is a matter of concern for India that they cannot transport their Top commander for 50 kilometers safely having a huge $72 billion defense budget.
Now, the voices from veteran Indian army officers like Brigadier Sudhir Sawant (Retd) have appeared in public domain that publicly expressed suspicion of conspiracy in the helicopter crash and viewed that “the sleeper cells of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) may be behind the crash”. Differences were observed among Indian NSA, Ajit Doval and CDS Bipin Rawat on the killings of civilians in Nagaland and it was speculated that CDS demanded sacking of Ajit Doval. There is a possibility that well-wishers of Ajit Doval had some links in this chopper crash.
Indian army is known for having loose and undisciplined military culture. Indian troops usually do not follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations as well. This crash has not only exposed the lack of combat preparedness but also given a heavy blow to country’s military’s modernization drive.
On 9 April 2017, India sparked an international controversy when Farooq Ahmed Dar, an innocent Kashmiri was trussed to the spare tyre at the front of a jeep and driven on a five-hour journey by the Indian army Major Leetul Gogoi. The use of Mr. Dar as a human shield was criticized around the world. Amnesty International described it as “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment amounting to torture” but Gen Bipin Rawat suggested a special “Medal” for that army officer and defended his acts by describing the officer’s actions as an “innovation” in a “dirty war”.
Gen Bipin Rawat had also served in Kashmir and during his tenure, he proved to be their worst enemy. He treated Muslims as foreigners and occupiers in IIOJK. He coined new techniques of brutality against the innocent Kashmiris and always directed his troops to violate the ceasefire at borders with Pakistan. He was the man behind recent China- India standoff. The stubborn behavior of Gen Bipin Rawat brought the two nuclear states India and China in front of each other.
Statement of General Bipin Rawat regarding stone pelters in Kashmir back in 2017 that “I wish these people were firing at us instead of stones pelting, so I would have been happier, then I would have been able to do what I want to do” shows his barbarian mindset against the innocent Kashmiri freedom fighters. He was known for his brutal stance against Kashmir. Under his command, hundreds of Kashmiris have been killed in an inhumane way.
Now, Indian government has to probe the cause of this incident and if conspiracy will be proved in this crash, then all responsible should be brought to justice. On the other side, professionalism of the Pakistan army can be seen that General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC, and General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS expressed their condolences on the tragic death of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and the loss of lives in the helicopter crash. No negative comments observed from Pakistan side which shows that humanity always comes first even if it’s the loss of your worst enemy.
The writer is Islamabad based PHD Media studies fellow, tweets @ShFakharA and can be contacted at fakharhrp@gmail.com)
