This refers to the editorial, “The Chief Speaks” (January 15). Army chief General Bipin Rawat is a straight-talking gentleman. From the time he assumed the high office in December 2016, Rawat has not minced words while talking about vexed issues. Though his no-nonsense approach towards men and matters have landed him in a few controversies, the General has not parted with his straightforward ways. His opinion on the Kashmir imbroglio in the past had raised hackles among certain section. Undaunted, General Rawat has done some plain-speaking again. He has rightly averred that India would not blink an eye, if the need arises, to cross the line of Control and the line of Actual Control. The General’s statement must have sent shivers down the spine of both Pakistan and China.
The Army Chief’s line cannot be disputed because in the unrelenting war against terror and terror-sponsors, there can be compromises. It is a tribute to the Indian Army that over the last couple of years, it has met stiff challenges head-on. Radicalisation of youth through a colossal disinformation campaign is haunting the Kashmiris’ interests. The roots of disenchantment and aggression can be traced to the temples of learning: The schools. If children deviate from an established societal norm, the teachers are duty-bound to bring them back to the mainstream. But it cannot be the other way round. The infamous ‘stone pelters’ of Kashmir, who came from different shades, demonstrate how schools and colleges have not served their intended purpose in the Valley.