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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of the Air Staff Arup Raha at the Air Force Commanders' conference on Tuesday.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the beef controversy has dented the images of BJP, NDA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of India. Speaking exclusively to Mail Today in Goa, he said that the beef row is being fuelled by vested interests and it is damaging for both the party and the country. The minister also aired his views on a host of other issues.
Elaborating on the beef row, Parrikar said these are issues that need to be dealt with sensitively after holding widespread consultations with all concerned. Responding to the alleged role of RSS in stoking communal passion, he said he is a proud RSS karyakarta from his young days and the right-wing organisation would do nothing that is not in the county's interests.
Asked about outfits such as Sanathan Sansthan, he said any organisation that encourages and plans violence to propagate their viewpoint or silencing opposition cannot be allowed. Investigators have to gather evidence that will stand scrutiny in a court, he said, adding that an organisation cannot be banned just to please people or for politics. .............................Shows, India's NDA intent, India's Democracy at best.
Speaking of Pakistan, he explained that as Goa CM, he had to take on not just mosquitoes but also the places where these reproduced and spread malaria. We will neutralize terrorists who spread terror in our country or violate LoC. India,
including our media, must highlight the atrocities unleashed by Pak army in Azad Kashmir and other parts like Balochistan.He said that for the first time, the government is planning to induct women in counter-terror operations.
"When we gave clearance to women for flying fighter aircraft, the main objection was the adverse impact on public morale if they are shot down. But not all combat operations are over enemy territory. There are combat air patrols and defence of own air space for which the women will be trained," Parrikar said. "The first bomb dropped on ISIS by the UAE air force was by a woman pilot. If the UAE is thinking so progressively, why should India lag," he asserted.
As CM, he helped induct women into Goa Police with special training camps. "The same will be done in the army and air force," he added.
He said the June 4 ambush of 6 Dogra troops by suspected NSCN-K ultras was the lowest point in his 11-month-long tenure.
"I immediately decided we must hit back. We met in Home Minister Rajnath Singh's office. NSA Ajit Doval was also there. Modi gave the nod and the special forces and IAF mounted the operation that eliminated 60-80 rebels on June 9," he said.
Getting the IAF to accept the modified Tejas LCA and the army to look at main battle tank Arjun are his achievements. "LCA Tejas was deemed dead even before it flew. IAF's willingness to accept 120 additional aircraft indicates confidence in Make in India is increasing," he said.
India cannot afford to spend Rs 2,50,000 crore every year on preparedness and imports and yet not be sure whether foreign suppliers will fulfil their commitments, he said. "PM decided to get 36 Rafale fighter jets. We could go for further enhancement," he said.
He also said that the government has speeded up the process of acquisition of 155 mm Howitzers. To a question on the UPA tenure being seen as a lost decade, he said: "I don't know about lost decade but it was one where hollowness in defence preparedness increased."
On the contentious One Rank, One Pension issue, he said: "I will have to wait till Bihar polls are over as I don't want to get into any controversy."
Pakistan has to be dealt with at many levels: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar : Goa, News - India Today
PARRIKAR, making a difference in Indian Defense.
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