Book: OPEN SECRETS - India`s Intelligence Unveiled

Author: M.K. Dhar
Publisher: Manas Publications

'OPEN SECRETS - India`s Intelligence Unveiled' marks that important crossroads for an independent and confident Nation in literary non-fiction:- it uses the English language the way it is used in the country of relevance without apologising to the Queen while going about its business of placing home truths and actual histories as perceived and experienced by the author without apologising for the warts and errors of differing interpretations.

M.K. Dhar, who is not a Kashmiri (relevant for those who know more about the Indian Intelligence community), retired as the Joint Director of India`s Intelligence Bureau not too long ago. This is his swan song, he says it is not his autobiography though it reads like one at places, where he covers and paints for the readers a canvas which stretches from the North East to Punjab and Pakistan, with way stops in Canada and the rest of India. The book itself was reviewed extensively in the Indian media a few months ago, and there were mild rumours, at one stage, of it being banned. The question of whether he breached service rules or not is still unresolved.

The fact that it is nowhere near being banned, however, and has been on the top-seller list in India for a few weeks now, is commented on by the author in this way, in a message to this correspondent:- 'OPEN SECRETS may not get banned, as the establishment fears that by banning it they will strengthen the demand for accountability of the secret service agencies. Any way I am ready to face any consequence. Please enjoy the book and spread the message of liberty, equality and accountability in a real democratic country and the need for change (in) the British system of administration in an independent country. I have been at sea and the lofty heights of the Himalayas. I have tried to reach the depth of human mind. I love life.'

OPEN SECRETS traces the history of India`s Intelligence community as well as comments and throws new hitherto unknown light on some of the well-known episodes over the last few decades. These include very interesting revelations on places and players in Nagaland, East Pakistan/Bangladesh, Sikkim, Assam, Punjab, Kashmir, Pakistan, Jihad, Afghanistan, North American and Pakistani Khalistan, 'Kanishka' Air India bombing and also on the political playing fields in and around Delhi.

At over 500 pages hardbound, 50 dollars through Manas Publications, (Rs 795.oo in India), the book itself is a bit of a long read, but fairly essential reading within the Indo-Pak and Hindu-Muslim playing field that The Chowk has become over the last few years. It can be read in three almost equal sittings, and does require as well as presumes a knowledge and interest in matters pertaining to India over the past 3 decades and more.

Mr. Dhar is a Bengali who is fluent in Hindi, Punjabi as well as a few other languages, and his exposure to Muslims and Islam has been the way it is for so many other of us in non-Urdu India - be it Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, NorthEast, Assam or the South - that the Muslims and Hindus and others and their many co-existing sects in these areas are regionals first. Their customs, eating habits and lifestyles are relevant to the trousers, lungis and dhotis of the geographical location that they inhabit, rather than to the wannabe imported Saudi Wahhabi pyjama that the Islamic theocrats of post-Zia Pakistan and Saharanpur are trying to thrust down Muslim throats in Pakistan and by default in India.

For chowkies, the best parts of the book have to do with Mr. Dhar`s tenure in the PCIU (Pakistan Counter Intelligence Unit), where he served co-terminus with his responsibilities in Punjab Operations. The direct revelations as well as those through insinuation and weakly shielded covers are, to say the least, amazing. Especially if read dispassionately without nationalistic glee. Dhar Sahib does not tell us much about actual operations in Pakistan, but his passages on Pakistani activities in India are, well, mind-blowing.

To a dispassionate reader, it may even seem that he had a sneaking respect for his adversaries, though that would also be but natural. However, he does not hold back from giving the Pakistanis their due, and a few quotes are not by any way relevant to the whole book, just selected at random.

To quote (pp344, 457 & 458):- '`The ruling establishment of Pakistan has fashioned itself as the Imam of the entire Ummah in our geopolitical region, if not all over the world.'

'This new `war` of Pakistan is aimed at transforming the `nationalism` of the Indian Muslims to trans-Arab `Islamism`; the concept of Islam wedded more to the fundamentalist values of Sunni Wahabism of Saudi variety.'

'I do not hate the people of Pakistan, who are even now made to believe that religion is the best arrak or soma rasa intoxicant, which is the toughest crazy glue.'

'Our friends in the West refuse to identify if they descended from the Suras, the presumed Aryans or the Asuras, the indigenous people or the people of 'Ahur Mazda' the fire worshipper . . .. in any case our fiends of the Indus did not originate in the sands and oasis of Saudi Arabia.'

In ending, the book also takes pot-shots at and reveals the many weaknesses of the corrupt bearers of the responsibilities of the Indian State, with a fervent wish to change and improve matters. The absolutely unprecedented nature of this book may well be a small catalyst for this.