PUNE, Jan 15: Maj gen (retired) V K Madhok, author of Re-Powering National Security, feels that too much time is being wasted on trivial issues. The focus instead should be on the 56,000 strong Navy and 140 ships which have been functioning, despite shortage of equipment, and, more importantly, framing a ``maritime'' policy.``If the Navy has been carrying out its task of defending the sixth largest coastline in the world, it is only because of the morale of its officers and men and the command structure they have inherited,'' he said.``Admiral Bhagwat's sacking whether right or wrong has severely damaged the morale, fighting spirit and fractured the command structure. The main issue which needs attention is to restore the morale of the men. The three reasons cited for his dismissal - refusal to obey orders, criticism of the government on the shortcomings of intelligence and matters relating to national security - all seem justified in sacking any soldier.''``But what was the Intelligence doing all these years? From the rank of a Commodore, it takes 16 years to become the Chief of Naval Staff. The fact that Admiral Bhagwat posed a threat to national security has only been discussed last month and, hence, this theory does not hold much water,'' he said.``The last two to three chiefs have been speaking openly about the state of the Navy. Admiral Shekawat, a week before his retirement, had emphasised the need to replace around 30 ships. He believed that the Defence Minister should have tried to rectify this big communication gap between politicians and professionals.''``The reason why Bhagwat spoke in public was because he was aware of the shortcomings in the Navy and because he was accountable. Since the bureaucracy was a major hurdle, he spoke in public and paid the price for it,'' Maj Gen Madhok said.``Whether Bhagwat spoke in public or disobeyed orders because of patriotism or strength of character, incompatibility of temper or was just foolhardy is difficult to comment since the matter is subjudice. On the surface, it appears that Bhagwat stood his ground and could not take anymore neglect of the Navy by politicians and bureaucrats.''Commenting on the role of the President in the controversy, Maj Gen Madhok said that whether he was consulted or informed on the issue still remained a puzzle.``He (the President) has not spoken publicly which is even more damaging. If he remains passive, then he should forgo the honour to pin medals on the chests of soldiers and giving colours to regiments. He can no longer remain a ceremonial President and, as the head of the armed forces, has a right to demand that he must speak up or he will surely lose credibility,'' he remarked.Niloufer Bhagwat, Maj Gen Madhok maintained, was as much an aggrieved party as the Naval Chief. ``As an independent citizen, she has a right to state what she has said. Although the Defence Minister started off on a good note, he committed a grave error from which he will find it difficult to recover. The issue has now acquired political hues with the opposition parties all set to take advantage of the situation with their support of Bhagwat,'' he said.Suggesting possible reforms, Maj Gen Madhok said that the Ministry of Defence needed to be re-organised with the Services having a say in policy making. ``More importantly, the politician must establish direct contact with the soldier to remove the existing gap.'' He also suggested the formation of Service councils to take care of decisions on various issues.
