It may be recalled that in the meetings called by speaker on the Bhagwat issue during the Lok Sabha session George had hinted that he will have to make some statement to put point his view One does not know why he did not placed the documents and argument in the parliament which he had quoted today many of which had been published by various newspaper.

George also denied that he had helped supply of arms to insurgency in north-east and Mynamar. He said that he had only order to take cautious step nothing else. He also denied that he had allowed Mynamar insurgents in his own house but said that he had allowed 20 students of that country to stay in his residence because at one point the India government were deporting them.

George Fernandes is still to explain the circular issued by the Defence Ministry on July 27, 1998 restraining the armed forces operations in the Andamans area. The ship seized with a large amount of arms in February 1998 meant for armed insurgent groups in Burma led to this circular. It is well known that such arms shipments also find their way to the armed insurgents in the north-eastern region. It is well known that the arms seized were meant for groups like the Karen National Union. The CIA has been funding some of the armed groups in Burma since the 1950s. Does George Fernandes have any explanation as to why he continues to protect such operations, which are detrimental to India’s security?

George Fernandes has reiterated his support to a `Free Tibet’ in a recent interview. Is this the stand of the Vajpayee government? Can the Defence Minister carry on with his own agenda, which is detrimental to the country’s interests?

George Fernandes has not given any explanation for the patronage extended to another naval officer, Harinder Singh, who made blatantly communal insinuations against his Chief.

If George Fernandes and the Vajpayee government think they can deal with the armed forces in this manner and invoke national security to suppress debate and discussions, they are sadly mistaken.