When the Chief of Russia’s mercenary group, that is fighting in Ukraine and comprising of retired soldiers from elite regiments of Russia’s army in an audio message challenged Putin,it reminded me of an old adage ; Snake biting its own tale.
The Chief of the mercenary group called Wagner Group officialy called PMC Wagner that was nurtured by Putin himself said ;
“We are going onwards and we will go to the end. We will destroy everything that stands in our way."
This is perhaps the most audacious challenge to President Vladimir Putin since the start of the offensive in Ukraine last year.
The issue at hand is not what Wagner group can achieve or can not achieve, but more important is the lesson that it carries particularly for our own Rightists in India who have been eulogising Putin as he appeared to have been aspiring for what the rightists back home in India dream ; Akhand USSR and Akhand Bharat respectively.
Coincidentally , Savarkar was an admirer of Hitler and Mussolini and so it was not surprising that the Savarkars’ followers admired Putin.
Putin and the Indian rightists have the same Dreams.
Like any seasoned dictator Putin’s main goals were;
One, He wanted to maintain his Absolute power and this he achieved by bringing constitutional amendments.
Two. He wanted Russia to regain the status that the Soviet Union lost with the end of the Cold War. So, he and his supporters propagated that he’s the only person capable to achieve this grandiose aim.
This is exactly what Mr Modi and his supporters are trying to achieve. They are also selling this dream of Akhand Bharat right upto Gandhar. They have now even placed the Akhand Bharat mural in the New Parliament building , at the cost of irking the neighbours ; Nepal and Pakistan.
Sadly, the gullible Russians believed in this idea and this propelled Putin to invade Ukraine.
The Dream Becoming a Nightmare.
Despite a long war extending to more than a year , Putin’s forces could not capture Ukraine and in the bargain lost thousands of soldiers , lost few generals, its flagship Moscova had sunk and its economy crippled due to sanctions.
The Dream of capturing Ukraine which looked distant a year ago has now turned into a Nightmare, wherein Russians may now be fighting their own countrymen.
Putin now has very little to show to its people, rather he has brought misery to his people.
Its interesting to go through what Dan Slater, professor of political science at the University of Michigan had said; “At least for now, Putin is ushering in every outcome that he wanted to avoid;
- He hasn’t divided NATO; he’s rather united NATO.
- He hasn’t made NATO move away from enlargement; he’s made NATO more likely to enlarge.
- He hasn’t reduced the street protests against him—in both Ukraine and Russia—he has increased street protests.and now even his own darling force, nurtured by him ; The Wagner Group has revolted against him
- He hasn’t helped the Russian economy; he’s devastating the Russian economy.
- He hasn’t made Russia a more respected player globally; he’s made it a rogue state in the world.
- Literally, everything Putin wanted to accomplish, right now he’s achieving the opposite”.
Lessons from History.
Mussolini wanted “Akhand Italy” ; To regain the lost status of Great Roman empire that extended beyond Italy,
Hitler wanted Akhand Germany – that included many other independent Nations (Austria, parts of Poland etc) , Putin wanted Akhand USSR – includes many independent nations that broke away in 1991 and now our own Govt wants Akhand Bharat.
The consequences are right in front of us, its now for the people to take a call. I am of the opinion that such dreams are UNREALISTIC and are sold by the Autocrats and Dictators to dupe the masses and lead them to misery. History is full of such examples that - whenever a Nation tried pursuing these unrealistic dreams it destroys itself and brings misery to its own people.
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