Young Men and Old People's Wars

The article, Old men plot young men’s death, by Dipankar Gupta discusses how wars often come about due to the ambitions and power-driven logic of older leaders, while the young are the ones who end up paying the price with their lives. It argues that before commemorating fallen soldiers, we should remember that wars largely happen because of the "evil logic" of the powerful.

The article notes that in war memorial ceremonies, the "heraldry of martyrdom overwhelms us" and we forget about the young lives that were "wasted to fulfil the ambitions of old men." It states that on Remembrance Day, we recall the "fallen braves" but do not acknowledge the "wretched schemers who sent the young to die."

The article then provides historical examples to support its thesis. It mentions how rulers in Europe pursued wars that resulted in the deaths of many young people. Similar examples are provided from India, where several rulers called for war, while the young were casualties of war.

The article contends that this pattern continues today, where "bravery awards go to soldiers who die in battle, but the spoils of war go to the plotters" who "sit behind desks" and make cold calculations. It argues that a "needless death can never be compensated" and that the "futility of war is in the calm undulating fields of Flanders."

Old men plot young men’s death, by Dipankar Gupta. In Time of India, December 2024.

In conclusion, the article urges readers to remember that "every silver lining has a dark cloud" when it comes to war, and that the truth about the "hue and cry of war" must be told, rather than just commemorating the fallen soldiers.

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