A normal News Hour Debate suddenly evolved into an emotional moment as Major General (Retd) G. D. Bakshi broke down in grief  after saying “I have seen very good men die for a piece of tattered silk. Even for a regimental flag, people have died, and we have to discuss this!” He was disappointed to see people opposing the HRD ministry decision to make it mandatory for all central universities to fly the Tricolour.

On Thursday night, he wrote a facebook post, slamming who he referred to as ‘leftist liberals’ for opposing the HRD ministry’s decision.

This is what he wrote:

On Arnab’s debate today i suddenly realised the difference between us soldiers and others. it suddenly hit me.it hurt me deeply to see what we have become. we have problems now with flying our national Flag.? I learnt with the greatest shock that so far the national flag has not been flying in our Universities? Why pray? Are they UN enclaves in Free India beyond the pale of our sovereignty? Are we required to sing the Communist internaionale there instead of our National anthem? Are the universities paid for by our taxes required to celebrate every Afzal Guru , every Maoist,celebrate every 76 brave CRPF boys who get killed by the Maoists? celebrate every single soldier who gets killed in J&K? The problem is the sophisticated debate that these bastions of Leftist liberals have created. Every Patriot is a lumpen. the smart set , the real cool intellectulas support Afzal Guru. For that is the fastest way to a Noble peace Prize or even a Magasay Award (Get rich quick guys- who cares for that land called India).Only soldiers like us are stupid enough to become EXTREME NATIONALISTS. Only soldiers make that extreme sacrifice !! and all along we were told it was the SUPREME sacrifice . The Flag my friend is NOT a piece of tattered silk to us soldiers. It is the SYMBOL of who we are. it is for this piece of tattered silk that we have to Fight and DIE- we have NO choice. You DO! that’s the difference

His post has gone viral with nearly 43,000 shares and 69,000 likes. Here’s the post on Facebook.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani called during The Newshour and expressed her gratitude for Major General (Retd) GD Bakshi. Addressing Major General (Retd) GD Bakshi, Smriti said, “It’s the greatest tragedy for my nation to see tears in eyes of a great soldier like you. Man like you has never asked for anything in return. As an Indian citizen, we are grateful for your services and sacrifices. Under that flag, knowingly or unknowingly, we shall remain grateful to you forever.”

The PM Modi government made it mandatory for all central universities across the nation to fly the Tricolour on a 207-feet high mast, and have picked Delhi’s JNU as the first place to have such a flag.