ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

'Civilian control has to be maintained, otherwise the army will rule India'

How Readers reacted to T V R Shenoy's recent columns

This article questions the integrity of Admiral Bhagwat. The writer does not apply his mind to find out the truth about what the defence ministry and naval headquarters records show. Shenoy believes in politicians rather than the sacked admiral.

An article in The Indian Express dated January 7, 99 refers to the records about the admiral having discussions about arms dealers etc. So it is better not to cast aspersions on the people without asserting facts. Yes, "your country comes first, then your men, you yourself are last". Because Admiral Bhagwat had respect for that phrase, he paid the price.

Presley

Date sent: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 10:24:37 -0700
From: Sameer Kuppahalli <skuppaha@sedona.ch.intel.com>
Subject: In offense of Bhagwat

Excellent column. Good work.

Sameer Kuppahalli
Chandler, AZ 85226

Date sent: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 11:50:04 -0600
From: "Mysore, Vadiraj" <VRMysore@ugsolutions.com>
Subject: T V R is always balanced!

How sane and balanced are TVR's opinions! I think some of your other columnists can pick a few tips from TVR on how to write neat, good articles that treat the subject in all their seriousness. TVR's style is smooth, no trail of rabid sensationalisation as seen in some other articles on your site. No communal references of any kind. Makes pleasant reading.

In the last two weeks or so, the quality of articles on your site is improving! Please do not publish any communally inclined articles on your front page. This leads to unnecessary sensationalisation. You are doing a great job!

Vadiraj M.R
Madison, AL - 35758

From: "Dr. M.P Gupta" <gupta2@home.com>
Subject: T V R Shenoy on Admiral Bhagwat

Admiral Bhagwat, a brilliant officer, broke all codes of conduct by revealing office matters to his wife. She may be a Supreme Court lawyer, but she is not a navy officer. No govt can allow its authority to be questioned in such a manner. Civilian control over the forces has to be maintained, otherwise the army will rule India.

Dr M P Gupta
Canada

Date sent: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 12:04:36 +0800
From: "Ravi Shroff" <rshroff@hih.com.hk>
Subject: T V R Shenoy's column

This column, as well as the other columns by the writer, was excellent. After removing the surrounding hot air, Shenoy has correctly said what was the actual reason for the navy chief's dismissal.

Ravi

Date sent: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 19:30:39 -0800
From: Prakash Tendulkar <prakash@jps.net>
Subject: In offense of Bhagwat by T V R Shenoy

Good article! Very well composed!

Prakash

Date sent: Sun, 02 Jan 2000 09:29:51 -0800
From: PRASAD <kpprao@yahoo.com>
Subject: In offense of Bhagwat

The article has highlighted the true colours of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat and his wife. Being the navy chief, he shouldn't have told defence matters to her. Who knows whether she keeps the information to herself?

Prasad

Date sent: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 07:37:42 -0800
From: "Astral Technologies Inc." <astral@portland.quik.com>
Subject: Mulayam and Jinnah

I think the whole divide and rule concept started with us Indians who were always divided. We just needed to be ruled by an outsider. In the wings today we have Sonia ready to take up that role. People like Mulayam make us Hindus feel unwelcome in India. It is good to support equal laws for everybody and do away with this Christian, Hindu, Muslim etc etc. The 50 years of quota system has taken India back 2,000 years. We have to look at the problem today and scrap all reservations, let the efficient and honest make it to the top. Definitely there is a parallel between what Hindu Mulayam is doing in the lines of thought of Jinnah. India needs the nuclear bomb to fall on our heads to start all over.

Chandru
USA

Date sent: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 13:10:12 +0900
From: "Chauhan U. S." <umen@yhb.att.ne.jp>
Subject: T V R Shenoy on the assault on Parliament's dignity

Very good article. Yadav loves to act like a dictator with whatsoever power he has. He was the defence minister of India, and as soon as he was in Opposition he suggested giving Rs 20 billion to Pakistan! That was an eye-opener -- it told us what kind of a person we had for defending us!!!

I really cannot recall any incident when this person had come with a vision that could have benefited India. The game of politics, and the manner he plays that, is the real threat to national security and communal harmony. As long as this guy is on the scene he will keep on telling innocent Muslims, dalits that they are poor, they are deprived, that they can't trust anyone but him.

Will someone tell Mulayam Singh that if you want to be a secular leader (which he claims!!), he should try to have a issue-based vote bank?

Date sent: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 21:28:58 -0800
From: "Sanjeev Jain" <SANJEEVJAIN@prodigy.net>
Subject: Terror in Parliament

After reading the article I had to rethink whether democracy is fit for India. It is this kind of democracy (or mockery of democracy) which has produced Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mulayam - so I would rather not have democracy. With just 15 seats each, these people are among the most powerful in the country. Even in Parliament they speak in such a way as if they are supreme. Let me remind them that the full of India is not UP or Bihar. "Reserve seats for Muslim and other backward classes. Or I won't allow Parliament to function!" Mulayam's statement itself is a threat to the gentlemen's club. His dirty remarks about Mayawati had also created a controversy.

T V R Shenoy