The Prime Minister’s speech this Independence Day from ramparts of the Red Fort reaffirmed to the world that India continues to be a ‘soft state’ ruled by mice. Despite all that has happened in recent past with rogue Pakistan and an equally belligerent China, the Prime Minister failed to make any mention of these two countries, not that he had bothered to address the nation when these incidents happened causing loss of lives of our soldiers on the borders and humiliation to India and its patriotic citizenry.
Thumping tables in Parliament that J&K is an integral part of India amongst display of periodic hooliganism and slogan shouting does not send any message to China and Pakistan.
More damaging was the failure to pay homage to our martyrs on the borders that explicitly conveys the politico-bureaucratic intransigence towards all things military. Thumping tables in Parliament that J&K is an integral part of India amongst display of periodic hooliganism and slogan shouting does not send any message to China and Pakistan. It is more like primary school children reciting their mathematical versus. On the contrary, both China and Pakistan would be wholly amused at our sterile foreign policy of ‘business as usual’ despite the gravest of provocations that would fire national sentiments of even the squeamish of nations. They would indeed marvel at the uniqueness of India’s gutless hierarchy – but then mice can hardly roar. Witness the President of USA whenever there is any loss of life be it a terrorist act, shooting in a school or disaster – he addresses the nation immediately. In the recent case of shooting involving killings of small school children, he even visited the scene of the incident and met the grieving parents the very next day. In sharp contrast, a grave incident like beheading of soldiers through cross-border raid neither evoked the President or the Prime Minister to address the nation, even while the President ostensibly enjoys the title of ‘Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces’.
When Government of India deputes an Under Secretary to represent them at the funeral of a Field Marshal, it shocks the world but certainly not our polity.
But then the military has always been held in disdain in India. Witness the ever falling order of preference of the Service Chiefs, soldiers approaching civil courts to get their authorized pay and allowances and what have you. When Government of India deputes an Under Secretary to represent them at the funeral of a Field Marshal, it shocks the world but certainly not our polity. Our paid media is busy building public opinion to facilitate the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan to electrify his native village despite grave provocations even while Obama canceled his summit with Putin because Russia accorded temporary asylum to Snowden.
Yes, Nawaz Sharif wants to talk to India after all that Pakistan has done in recent months. He has all the good intentions as he had during the Kargil intrusions. He has nothing to fear because he, like Musharraf, denies any anti-India activity by his military. No Sir, no cross border raids, no trans-border infiltration, not even any breach of the 2003 ceasefire agreement – just like China made absolutely no intrusions. On the contrary, India has been breaching the ceasefire and acting aggressor. Unlike India, Pakistan is a free democracy. In a true democracy, anyone and everyone can do whatever they want – become terrorists, spread hate and so what is new about the polity and military in Pakistan adopting Hafiz Saeed as their chief mascot. If the government of Pakistan’s Punjab wants to dole millions to terrorist out fits, well why not. Hasn’t India’s National Investigation Agency disclosed that in the last 10 years, Rupees 600 crores has been pumped in for terror operations from the J&K state of India through donations and relief funds, the Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Fund Trust topping the list having transferred 95 crores? Pakistan has already passed a resolution pledging support to the people of Kashmir after India deputed and facilitated visit of our brothers in Hurriyat to discuss how to expand the band of brothers. India’s foreign office has been and continues to be of great help. After all if you withdraw from Siachen and hand over Sir Creek, would it not seal the affection between brothers?
How long are we going to be a ‘retaliatory’ nation? Isn’t time more than past to do something pro-active for a change?
Following media uproar, the Defence Minister has said that forces have a free hand in retaliating against Pakistan. Is that all that the Defence Minister of the fourth most powerful military in the world is capable of – graduating from a squeak to a geek? How long are we going to be a ‘retaliatory’ nation? Isn’t time more than past to do something pro-active for a change? It is no secret that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has no institutionalized set up even for strategic thinking. So why interfere at the ground level? Let the commanders take their decisions and don’t bind their hands behind their backs with this ‘retaliatory’ diktat. No war is going to start. The US has war-gamed and drummed it into the Pakistanis from the CENTO days they will lose any conventional war. Incidentally, the Defence Minister may have not even noticed that the Pakistani Military has not won one single war. Their only strength is terror that needs a befitting response. Despite the hype, even the US knows Pakistan’s nuclear bogey. Didn’t Gen Padmanabhan as Army Chief clarify to Pakistan the implications of nuclear exchange? Perhaps we need to review our nuclear policy as well notwithstanding the fact that second strike capability does not imply one has to wait for a physical nuclear strike.
There is also the need to review measures on ground along the Line of Control with Pakistan – beefing up surveillance, obstacles, establishment of a no-man’s zone, the works!
The BDCA proposal came from China in the first place. Recent media reports indicate that fresh proposals include that patrols will not be shadowed or interfered with by the opposite side.
Then witness the Defence Minister says nothing about the gag order on the military not to say anything about China. China’s BDCA Trap has already been written about in these columns. The fact is that India has never been pro-active even in terms of taking the lead in proposing draft agreements in terms of border management or border settlement. It is always China and Pakistan who take the lead. The BDCA proposal came from China in the first place. Recent media reports indicate that fresh proposals include that patrols will not be shadowed or interfered with by the opposite side. This is an even more dangerous and ambiguous trap under which China will move into all the areas she wants to undeterred and unopposed. As it is, the failure of the Government to place the ITBP responsible for the LAC in areas being intruded by the Chinese smells of a larger conspiracy and the Defence Minister’s failure to take up the issue strongly with the Prime Minister makes him party to it since constitutionally he is responsible for external defence of the country as Defence Minister, aside from the stony silence of the Prime Minister himself.
With the current dispensation and environment in the country, if the military really wants to make itself heard then the only solution is to ensure that every military man exercise his vote. The Election Commission of India has mandated that every soldier posted anywhere for six months and more can vote in the concerned state where he is posted both in the State and Municipal elections. This is applicable to the whole of India. The Service Chiefs need to ensure that all soldiers exercise their democratic right of voting. Mere issue of policy letter that all soldiers must get their voting cards made is not enough. The Adjutant General and equivalents in Navy and Air Force need to go pro-active on this.
Solutions are available to overcome civilian administration projected inability to produce that many numbers of voter cards in the required time. This has been done in the past, as may be read in the article ‘Empowering the Military’ in these columns. At the national level, we need to develop a deterrent to asymmetric and fourth generation war and the ability to demonstrate it when required, in the absence of which, we will keep getting bled and humiliated unconventionally. The book ‘India’s Special Forces – History and Future of Indian Special Forces’ published by Vij Books India Ltd suggests how to go about creating such deterrence.
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We may also analyze the recent developments from another angle. India is aspiring to become a super power and for power projection, greater investment is required in Indian Air Force and Navy, while maintaining a comparatively smaller, but well equipped, Army. This implies lowering of Army’s budget and decrease in number of ground forces and, as such, unacceptable to Indian Army leadership. They are, thus, looking for justification to continue to maintain a big Army by asserting that a conventional war was still possible with Pakistan.
Both Indian and Pakistani leadership must not let the process of negotiations be derailed by terrorist related incidents or an odd skirmish on LOC, the only way to thwart the conspiracies of those who do not want peaceful co-existence.
The author has surprised me by urging the soldiers to vote at the conclusion of his piece. Seems the Army top brass, both serving and retired, are creating the hysteria to generate support for BJP whose jingoistic policies mean greater budget, expensive inductions and, by implication, heavy kickbacks. Indian govt needs to take notice of any attempts to politicize the Army.
As usual, Tahir Ali’s analysis is incoherent and out-of-whack.
Excellent reading, great writing General. Can I get his mail ID or Ph Number.
– AP
Parakash Katoch must be wooing BJP for a defense minister post, otherwise his ROARING show he has mentally not progressed beyond a DASHING Subaltern level.
And you, you crapshoot! What level have you progressed to? Best dog of the year?
Ignore this Pakistani Raza. He’s a moron.
If Prakash Katoch did become defense mnister it would be one of the great things for India. Mr. Raza, even if he was trying to become defense minister, it would be a great thing! The trouble is you live in Pakistan where people seek nothing except terror. It’s much better if you people keep quiet and not open the wrong end of your mouth.
Mr. Raza the Pakistani is trying to shame Prakash Katoch and India by saying “Parakash Katoch must be wooing BJP for a defense minister post …” What’s wrong if Prakash Katoch became defense minister? In fact, it would be really good if he did. And incidentally, there is nothing wrong in Prakash Katoch to even want to become defense minister, though I don’t know if he does. These Pakistanis have a warped moral and ethical code and structure.
Interestingly Mr. Reza, India is a democracy unlike Pakistan which is a virtual military state. Many things are possible in a democracy that aren’t possible in your rusted Pakistan.
The General has rightly pointed out the deficiencies in our political system when dealing with our neighbours on military matters. To put it bluntly the political establishment and the bureaucracy have an impotent mind on military matters and are a laughing stock in International Arena. How can we goof up so much, no one can understand. Well you can also blame the army for not speaking up forcefully on the subject. In actual fact they cant. As someone pointed out that if you speak you mind you don’t go up. Well lets let that matter rest there; listen now at least to the Generals and Army men when they are free to speak. This country has many shackled gulags and Indian Army is one; but you cant bargain the security of the country by being meek and docile or downright DUMB !!
I see that mine and Fido Dido’s comments have been deleted. Wonder why a difference of opinion is not encouraged on this site. If you are going to run this website with this attitude, the one with which you people served in the army, then I am afraid your discussions here will hold no value. And it is just an indication of what is plaguing the Army too.
Sorry, that was deleted by mistake. Popularity of this site attracts huge quantity of spam and while cleaning it , it appears your comments were by oversight removed. Our apology. Do feel free to put them back. Editor
Gen Sir, My Congratulations for this Beautiful Insight,I have taken Liberty in Tweeting few of your passages.Thanks sir
I think Fido Dido belongs to that school of thought that thinks theres ONLY black n white, when it comes to dealing w our neighbors. While talks can continue, the Armed Forces is in the BEST position to decide how to deal with an emerging situation. It is this operational freedom thats reqd, and our generals are DEFINITELY not irresponsible enough to trigger a war. So, rule that out! I’m FED-UP of hearing that nuanced distortion of fact. Its NOT war vs peace/war-mongering vs peaceniks. There are many shades of grey that exist inbetween and this should be left, not to our politicians/bureaucrats, but to our Armed Forces and strategic affairs experts to decide. Afterall, its their ass on the line! Finally, I totally denounce the govt for having this EXTREME case of trust-deficit, with its own Army! Its very easy to blame it all on ex-COAS, but d rot runs deep. The govt shld go for political psychiatric counselling, IMHO!
The only thing that a normal every-day soldier/officer can do is exercise his/her ballot – and somehow I feel that it will be made inconvenient for a majority of the force in field areas to do so, because by now I feel even the powers-that-be have sensed the way the wind is blowing.
A good read reflecting genuine concern for the defence of the country.
War is certainly not recommended but we need to find the counter to unconventional war. If you read the last paragraph and read the book mentioned that will tell you what needs to be done.
I so agree with the comments of Fido Dido and Col Aujla. The state of the military as of today is dismal, to say the least. the sycophantic generals that we have, it better to not expect much. The voting bit is laughable. The cloistered environment that the army men live in is just not conducive for them to participate in the civilian world as normal people. Does the general think that a Bhoop Singh from the state of Punjab would bother about voting for a Shared Pawar in Maharashtra? Mindless. Elections are being fought on local issues with caste undertones, and not on nationalistic issues anymore, that is if they did some time back.
Do read the article Empowering the Military in these very columns/
It is nice to read your views. Of course, as a soldier one agrees with them.
Your demand that the RM or the PM do this or that is laudable.
I have only one observation. In my 25 years in the service, I did not see an officer who speaks his mind rise beyond a Brigadier. I left the army after commanding my battalion, so that I do not become another ‘mouse’! because wherever I saw upwards to the hierarchy, they were all mice.
How did you, sir, become a Lt Gen? Especially so when a Gen rank is politically cleared.
It is one thing to find one’s voice after retirement, it is another to adhere to set of princiles while in service.
The simple answer to your questions about the RM and PM is that they are still in service !, and therefore are mice, just the way senior officers in the services are. Period.
Field marshal maneckshaw was one
Unfortunately we have not met. I have been as blunt in service including while commanding the Siachen Brigade, 8 Div and 1 Corps, plus on staff. Wherever I went, i told the officers choice is theirs how to rise – easy way to lap up or talk blunt and I told them I believe in what is destined for me, no one has the power to change it, no matter that you will be shunted around. You can check on this or read it in my autobiography in two years time. As DDGO (Spl Ops), I have had heated exchanges with the ADGPP (who happened to be my Col of the Regt and DG Inf in presence of the COAS and survived. I was to be wasted out as COS Northcom but when the MS posted an officer from my own unit and junior to me as Army Commander, I moved out before his coming with two months annual leave and one month furlough, giving ultimatum to the MS that if I cannot be posted out .before expiry of these three months, this be treated as my resignation. I don’t know who leaked it, but this was amply covered in media. That is a how I landed up as DGIS. It is a different issue that by the time I hung up my uniform, all PSO’s were junior to me. That by itself I take as a boon for I have just completed my second book titled ‘Net-centricity and Indian Military’ to CLAWS for publication.
You may feel this is an exercise in self aggrandizement but I needed to explain to you that there are plenty people in the services even now (certainly not majority any more) who do speak up and go up. However, as a service officer yourself you surely know that WHILE IN SERVICE YOU ARE BARRED FROM GOING TO THE MEDIA in blunt fashion, Incidently, while commanding 8 Div I had suggested to the visiting Army Commander ARTRAC that the ARTRAC magazine should be made open to all for writing their blunt views, just as in US Military magazines. His response was “TUM TO MARWA DOGE”. I told him that if this is unaxxeptable then the hierarchy will unlikely know the ground situation and what needs rectification in the
Having served under Lt Gen Katoch ,while he was SIACHIN Bde Cdr , I can vouch for what he says . He stood by units & their problems , to the discomfort of Hierarchy. Sir rgds
We have not met but I have been blunt throughout my service as well. Only only thing is that you cannot write in media while serving as you can after shedding uniform. As regards you observation that PM and RM are mice because they are in still in service, well whose are they serving?
Good article. Will the people in power ever read? Never the less, every drop of water makes the mighty ocean and we should we keep at it. Go ahead Paratrooper. Well done.
Everyday a tragic event takes place in the Nation under the present dispensation
demoralizing not only the sword arm of the nation but the entire citizenry.I hope and pray that people of India will rise and throw out the corrupts and the cowards