In the Newshour debate discussion regarding the diktat of the HRD Ministry to hoist the Tri-color Flag in the Central-Funded Universities, army veteran Maj Gen Gagandeep Bakshi broke into tears. In the debate, left panelists like Imankalyan Lahiri, Prof of Jadavpur University, said that they strongly oppose the HRD Ministry order because it intervenes with autonomous nature of the University. JDU Gen Secy Ajay Alok and Shabnam Lone also supported his claim and questioned the timing of the decision.
Maj Gen Bakshi was visibly taken aback by the arguments of these people. He said, “Tri Color is a piece of silk for which hundreds and thousands of soldiers have died to see it fluttering”. He said that he feels that there is a clear difference between the soldiers and civilians, where the civilians do not even realize the struggle and sacrifice of the soldier and broke into tears. Anchor Arnab Goswami tried to console him. The HRD Minister Smriti Irani, who was watching the show called the studio and spoke to GD Bakshi. See the video above.
https://youtu.be/BFU7LRN_65s
She said, “Tragedy of my nation today, that I see tears in eyes of a brave soldier like you”. “We are grateful for your sacrifices and services. Under that flag everyday, knowingly, unknowingly know this we shall be grateful forever,” she added.
Later Maj. Gen Gagandeep Bakshi took it to Facebook to express his thoughts on this issue.,
On Arnab’s debate today i suddenly realised the difference between us soldiers and others. it suddenly hit me.it hurt me deeply to see what we have become. we have problems now with flying our national Flag.? I learnt with the greatest shock that so far the national flag has not been flying in our Universities? Why pray? Are they UN enclaves in Free India beyond the pale of our soveriginity? Are we required to sing the Communist internaionale there instead of our National anthem? Are the universities paid for by our taxes required to celebrate every Afzal Guru , every Maoist,celebrate every 76 brave CRPF boys who get killed by the Maoists? celebrate every single soldier who gets killed in J&K? The problem is the sophisticated debate that these bastions of Leftist liberals have created. Every Patriot is a lumpen. the smart set , the real cool intellectulas support Afzal Guru. For that is the fastest way to a Noble peace Prize or even a Magasay Award( Get rich quick guys- who cares for that land called India).Only soldiers like us are stupid enough to become EXTREME NATIONALISTS. Only soldiers make that extreme sacrifice !! and all along we were told it was the SUPREME sacrifice . The Flag my friend is NOT a piece of tattered silk to us soldiers. It is the SYMBOL of who we are. it is for this piece of tattered silk that we have to Fight and DIE- we have NO choice. You DO! thats the difference.
It is indeed sad that a war veteran has to shed tears to teach patriotism to some people in India. This is not an issue of Gov vs Opposition, but this has become an issue of Nationals and Anti-Nationals. Here, some people with certain agenda are masquerading under the garb of liberals and Free Speech exponents to create an unrest among the people. We need to identify them and beware of them.