When the going gets tough, tough decisions have to be taken: Gen. Malik

Chandigarh, June 2, 2017: Prof.A.K.Grover, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh highlighted the need for a think tank in Chandigarh vis–a- vis Delhi which would be a part of the Chandigarh Region Institutions Knowledge Cluster during his opening remarks at the round table panel discussion on the theme “J&K-The Way Forward” organised here today by the Department of Defence & National Security Studies, PU.Gyan Setu the proposed think tank should be a part of the Alumni Association, he added.
The Panel consisted of Former Ambassador Shri K.C Singh, Lt. Gen (retd.) D.S.Hooda.It was presided by Prof. A K Grover Vice Chancellor, PU. Lt.Gen (retd.) K. J.Singh Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair Professor convened the proceedings.
Lt.Gen (retd.) K.J.Singh welcomed all the dignitaries present in the house while giving his introductory remarks in the discussion.
Former Ambassador Shri K.C.Singh opined that Chandigarh needs develop intellectual ethos and be the bridge between India and Pakistan considering the relevance of Punjabis in Pakistan. He stated that the present mindset in India about Pakistan rhetoric is coloured and prejudice. This does not necessarily have to be so as projected in the media, politicians so on and so forth as Jingoism must not take place.
Going back in history he brought forward the various facets why India went to the United Nations Security Council and also how the Plebiscite clause came into being. He also argued that the composite dialogue arrangement is a flawed one as Confidence Building Measures and disputes cannot take place in the same platform.
Lt. Gen (retd.) D.S. Hooda while specially addressing the youth in the audience that Kashmir is a problem they will have to confront as they are the future of the nation, cautioned that the populous, generalizations which is shaping the Kashmir policy is worrisome. Reactive policy to any foul play in the border and diplomatic isolation is not working and a new strategy needs to be adopted. The speaker while highlighting some of the pertinent issues like the rise in the local recruitment for militancy, lack of employment opportunities in Kashmir etc suggested that these problems can be addressed by reaching out to various groups like the teachers union,
student groups etc; while trying to shut off terrorist funding and managing of perception. He also pointed towards politics playing a major role due to the dissatisfaction of the PDP – BJP alliance.
The closing remarks were made by Gen.V.P. Malik, Former Chief of the Army Staff, who was not pessimistic about the current situation in the region as he was confident that a solution to the problem would be brought sooner than later as past experiences have proven so. He stated that political solution, which everyone emphasizes upon, is a solution which has to be approached militarily. The speaker stated that there is very little synergy amongst all the stakeholders in the region including media and a unified command needs to be in place. When the going gets tough, tough decisions have to be taken. While addressing to queries he stated that the Army is too big to be politicized. Jingoism is to be curtailed while quietly and firmly dealing with the situation.
The august gathering comprised of Lt. Gen. (retd.) Bhopinder Singh, Lt. Gen.(retd.) Harwant Singh Bawa, , Lt. Gen (retd.) J. P. Singh, Retd. Justice J.S.Narang, Lt.Gen.(retd.) R. S. Sujlana and Lt. Gen. (retd.) Vijay Oberoi. Lt. Gen (retd.) A. S.Sihota, Lt. Gen (retd.) K. S. Mann., Lt. Gen (retd.) I. S. Singha, Maj Gen (retd.) Amarjit Singh. Faculty Members, Scholars and Students from various departments of Panjab University. Students from IAS and LAW preparatory institutes, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes were also present for the discussion.