Fernades baiting

[chan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Sir
It is disappointing to see the sacked admiral Bhagwat going hammer and
tongs at the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernades, and making personal
allegation. Irrespective of the merit of the case, his outburst is not
inorder and, in fact, is in bad taste. In the 1980s, general S.K Sinha was
supersed by General Milik. Although the action looked unjust at the time,
he did not go public with a vindictive attitude towards the political
executive, and resigned gracefully.

Admiral Bhagwat raise points which are unfortunately beyond the issue at
hand. First, the timming of the metting the press, coinciding with the
beginning of the Parliament session, seems motivated. All along, he had
been quiet letting his wife do the talking to the media. Secondly, he
throws a spanner in the work of rulling alliance, suggesting that the Prime
Minister did not trust the Defence Minister. Third, he requestions the
political style and actions of Mr. Fernades in his references to the
Myanmese Freedom Movement, the LTTE and so on.

Mr. Fernades is known for his convenional approach to poliyics; in 1977,
when he became Industries Minister in the Morarji Desai Cabinet, he allow
his political secretary to stage a demonstration before a visiting foreign
dignity whome he himself was accompanying. Mr. Fernandes has been
supporting the Myanmese democratic movement for long and true to his
nature, he does not find it incongruous to continue with his democratic and
humanrights convictions even after becoming Minister.

More than one person was party to the removal of Admiral Bhagwat . Singling
out Mr. Fernandes and making personal attacks would mean that machinations,
other than a simple demand for justice, are at work.

K. Vijaya Kuma, New Delhi