Mockery vs Maturity: Lessons Congress and its Darbaris Should Learn from Sam Manekshaw
In the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, grief and anger engulf the nation. Indians, as always, rally behind their armed forces, awaiting a decisive response to Pakistan’s latest provocation.
Yet, amid this national unity, Congress leaders like Ajay Rai, Supriya Shrinate, and Pawan Khera have chosen the path of mockery, questioning when and how India will retaliate — even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given full operational freedom to the forces to decide the time, front, and method of response.
This reckless trivialization of national security is not just disgraceful — it stands in stark contrast to the leadership ideals Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw championed.
The Manekshaw Standard vs Today’s Congress
Sam Manekshaw, under immense pressure from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war, had the courage to say NO.
(https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/apr/03sam1.htm )
He refused to rush India into war prematurely, explaining the operational challenges calmly and professionally. He wasn’t playing politics; he was safeguarding the nation.
The result?
A historic, decisive Indian victory and the creation of Bangladesh.
Today’s Congress leaders, however, think national security is a television debate — mocking and jeering from the sidelines, demanding impulsive retaliation for political mileage, ignoring the grave responsibility of statecraft and war strategy.
PM Modi’s Approach: Strategic Patience, Professional Trust
By granting the armed forces full operational freedom, PM Modi has respected the principle Manekshaw fought for:
- No political meddling in military decisions.
- Trust professional soldiers to choose the time and place.
- Strike when it hurts the enemy most — not when TV anchors and politicians demand it.
War is not fought to satisfy the Twitter timeline of Congress leaders.
It is fought to win, decisively and conclusively.
The Convenient Silence and Cover Fire by Darbari Media
Equally appalling is the behavior of Congress’s Darbari media ecosystem.
Instead of calling out the immaturity and irresponsibility of Congress leaders, they maintain a strategic silence.
Worse, some even give cover fire, subtly legitimizing Congress’s taunts as “questions” while disguising them as journalistic curiosity.
The same media, which would have run screaming headlines about “war-mongering” had the government rushed into action, now encourages public impatience.
Their selective outrage exposes not just bias, but a dangerous collusion — where political expediency triumphs over national interest.
Congress Needs to Look into the Mirror
If today’s Congress leaders had even a fraction of the wisdom, restraint, and patriotism shown by Sam Manekshaw, they would:
- Stand united in national crises.
- Respect the judgment of India’s battle-hardened forces.
- Stop treating national security as cannon fodder for their political ambitions.
Instead, by playing cheap politics and mocking national efforts, they weaken India’s position externally and betray their own desperation internally.
The Least Our Opposition is expected to Do
Sam Manekshaw taught the nation that leadership means moral courage, patience, and professionalism — not showmanship.
PM Modi’s decision to let the forces choose their own moment honors that spirit.
Congress leaders and their media echo chambers, by contrast, only expose their own political bankruptcy.
Let it be remembered:
Victories are not won by mockery in press conferences. They are won by strategic wisdom, unity, and the moral courage to act when the moment is right — not when the headlines demand it.
The armed forces will strike — and when they do, it will be with the full force and dignity of a nation that refuses to be dragged down by political immaturity.
Author: Rishi Kalia is a seasoned entrepreneur, Digital media Strategist and political analyst with 23 years of diverse experience in business and public discourse. Tweets at Rishi Kalia
