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Operation Bluestar was a wrong decision: VK Singh
Claims that the then Chief of the Army Staff had opposed it
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 21
Former Army Chief General VK Singh today said that Operation Bluestar was a wrong political decision and that the then Chief of the Army Staff had declined to attack the holy shrine.
The retired General, who has joined hands with social activist Anna Hazare, was in the city to garner support for the "Jantantra Morcha", a camapaign against corrupt practices, to be launched on March 31.
He paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. Asked if Operation Bluestar was a hasty decision, he said: “I was a Major at that time, but I am cent per cent correct in saying that the Army’s point of view could never be against its own people and the then leadership should have opted for another alternative to get things done.”
He said the then Army Chief had said ‘no’ to the operation ‘but when it was ordered, he had no choice but to obey.” He emphasised that the operation was solely a political decision.
On the alleged kickback in the AgustaWestland deal, he maintained: "The Services’ role has always been miniscule and there could be negligible corruption at that level." He said for arms procurement, the ‘lowest bidder requirement’ was not right as the "lowest may not be the best."
On Indo-Pak relations, he said: “ India should review its approach. Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a proxy war. It is not an indigenous movement, but is financed and abetted by inimical forces across the border."
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130222/punjab.htm#1
Claims that the then Chief of the Army Staff had opposed it
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 21
Former Army Chief General VK Singh today said that Operation Bluestar was a wrong political decision and that the then Chief of the Army Staff had declined to attack the holy shrine.
The retired General, who has joined hands with social activist Anna Hazare, was in the city to garner support for the "Jantantra Morcha", a camapaign against corrupt practices, to be launched on March 31.
He paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. Asked if Operation Bluestar was a hasty decision, he said: “I was a Major at that time, but I am cent per cent correct in saying that the Army’s point of view could never be against its own people and the then leadership should have opted for another alternative to get things done.”
He said the then Army Chief had said ‘no’ to the operation ‘but when it was ordered, he had no choice but to obey.” He emphasised that the operation was solely a political decision.
On the alleged kickback in the AgustaWestland deal, he maintained: "The Services’ role has always been miniscule and there could be negligible corruption at that level." He said for arms procurement, the ‘lowest bidder requirement’ was not right as the "lowest may not be the best."
On Indo-Pak relations, he said: “ India should review its approach. Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a proxy war. It is not an indigenous movement, but is financed and abetted by inimical forces across the border."
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130222/punjab.htm#1
