CDS Bipin Rawat’s Final Journey: Is Modi Govt in big trouble?

Pakistani journalist Afeefa Rao takes a closer look at the Tamil Nadu helicopter crash that led to the death of India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and its aftermath.

Taking to her YouTube channel, Rao said that this incident will unravel many layers from India’s diplomatic facade arguing that the crash seems like a planted event and not a mere accident.

According to Afeefa Rao, the former Indian CDS was a controversial person who was known for his arguable statements, for which he often received backlash from the Indian public. His statements were often condemned at the international level by the Indian Foreign Office, however, Rawat had close ties with the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made alterations to the Indian Constitution in order to appoint Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

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Rao commented that since assuming the position, Bipin Rawat was in the highlight for alleged confrontations with other senior military officials, including a letter addressed to the Defence Ministry that the Indian Army had mishandled the Ladakh situation against Chinese forces. According to Rao, General Bipin Rawat had insisted that the Indian Army had ‘nonprofessional’ behaviour and a ‘lack of capacity’ to handle the Ladakh conflict due to which, Rawat was constantly at odds with senior Indian officials.

It is being speculated that Bipin Rawat has been actively targeted and killed. Rao argued that the helicopter and the crash site were both under the control of the Indian Army however, the statements issued regarding the crash were made by the Indian Air Force which includes reasons such as weather conditions and flying too low. Rao argued that the chopper being used was a Mi-17 which is a Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter, mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version.

It is pertinent to note that Bipin Rawat was among thirteen others aboard the chopper. Based on earlier reports by Baaghi TV, of the fourteen people aboard the Mi-17, only Group Captain Varun Singh survived. Singh is currently under treatment, having suffered severe burns in the crash.

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Rao went on to argue that this helicopter is capable of making the most extraordinary emergency landings, including on water or uneven terrain. Continuing along this train of thought, Rao claimed that the most difficult situation for India at the moment is giving concrete justifications since the crash cannot be attributed to human error because the pilot flying the helicopter was exceptionally skilled and had previously been awarded.

There is no doubt that the helicopter is an upgraded one used by the most senior govt and security officials, argued Rao. Moreover, the Pakistani journalist commented that CDS Rawat was scheduled to address the officers of the Staff college however, if we are to believe weather conditions contributed to the crash, the officials could have delayed the flight. Nonetheless, the helicopter took off as per schedule because the weather was in fact, clear.

Afeefa Rao added that eyewitnesses claimed the movement of the helicopter was disturbed and the tail had caught on fire which means that there was an internal issue that went unnoticed despite the multiple sensors which could have enabled a safe landing. According to Rao, based on the latest developments it is safe to say that the pilot, the helicopter and the weather cannot be blamed for the crash rather, there is a possibility that hazardous material was strategically placed on board that ignited and led to the Tamil Nadu crash.

Additionally, Rao continued that the most significant developments are those from Russia and China. She commented that since the Mi-17 is a Russian military helicopter, India can now use this as the perfect opportunity to severe military trade with them to please the United States (US). It is pertinent to note that Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, recently visited India in lieu of the agreement, which was staunchly disregarded by the US.

The other major development has come from China. According to Rao, although the Chinese authorities do not regularly intervene in matters of other states, they have issued a statement denying the role of the pilot or the helicopter and demanding a complete and thorough investigation into the matter.

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Rao believes that this has landed PM Modi in hot waters who must satisfy the public and explain how such an incident could have occurred. She added that many factors could have led to the crash including repeated failures regarding the Khalistan movement referendum, Ladakh conflict, and deteriorating relations with China. These reasons and more could have triggered the crash that resulted in the demise of the Chief of Defence. Given the recent crash, the Indian military needs to address the questions regarding its credibility and professionalism. However, this is not the first crash of its kind.

Rao concluded the video by citing similar incidents across Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries and posed the question that if such an incident is possible in the strongest of militaries, then perhaps the time has come for us to reconsider our priorities. Moreover, if it is a planted incident then why do ur governments and/or militaries not prevent them prior to the event? Moreover, the investigation needs to be carried out in a transparent manner to prevent future incidents of a similar nature. Additionally, the crash raises questions as to the future of the position, Chief of Defence. Will India appoint a new ‘dummy’ CDS or will they terminate the position entirely?