Who Will Defend India’s Defense Forces?
India expects the highest standards of professional conduct from its Armed Forces. And rightly so. The discipline and dedication of the Armed Forces are critical for ensuring the safety of our nation. But are not Indians too unrealistic in their expectations from the nation’s Armed Forces? Mere phrases like “We are proud of our Jawans”; “We have a military that thoroughly follows orders of the civilian leadership;” and wreath laying ceremonies at the Amar Jawan Jyoti are not enough to show our respect for the military personnel. Even the Amar Jawan Jyoti does not have the name of a single Indian soldier who scarified his life for independent India. The 90,000 names etched at AJJ are those of soldiers belonging to the British Indian Army who died during World War I and the Afghan Wars.
Coming back to the issue that motivated this post, the court martial of Lt. Gen. Awadesh Prakash.
The Army Chief’s aide Lt. Gen. Awadesh Prakash, the current Military Secretary, has been found guilty by a court of inquiry of using his position to influence a no-objection certificate given by the chief of the 33 Corps in Sukhna, Lt. Gen P.K. Rath, to a private realtor. The East Army Commander, Lt. Gen. V.K. Singh, who convened the inquiry, has recommended court martial of the two officers. However, while the Army Chief has acceded to Gen. Rath’s court martial, he has ordered only disciplinary action against Gen. Prakash. Lt. Gen. V.K. Singh, due to take over from General Kapoor on March 31, and the media has accused General Kapoor of favoring his Secretary Lt. Gen. Prakash.
According to Army sources Gen. Kapoor would have taken the total picture into consideration in ordering only administrative action against Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash. Sources are quick to point out that the successor of Gen Kapoor, Lt Gen V K Singh had gone a step further in recommending the sacking of Prakash. Said a top retired Army officer: “He (Kapoor) has a set of advisors and experts before he takes a final call. I feel he would have taken a decision keeping the highest values in the Army. It is no doubt embarrassing when the senior most General in the Army is over-ruled. It will affect the morale among senior officers.”
No doubt, that Lt. Gen. Awadesh Prakash’s actions were disapproving and action against him was imperative. But was the political highhandedness and media pouncing necessary or even desirable? Lt. General Prakash who was due to retire on January 31, 2010, has become, thanks to Defense Minister A.K. Anthony, the highest ranking member of the Indian Army to be court martialed. The country is rejoicing that the righteousness of the Indian Army was once again upheld. But what about the impact on this development on the morale of the Army? This post is not a defense for Lt. General Prakash, but a more pointed defense of the stature and morale of the Indian Armed Forces. Lengthy inquires into scams by the political leadership of the country with virtually no action against them has been the norm in India. Even murder convicts can contest elections. But error on the part of the military personnel has to be highlighted and ‘appropriate’ action is taken instantly. Hypocrisy or Justice?
General Kapoor rightly stated “The strength of the Indian Army is 1.1 million. But when something of this nature happens, the media delves into it. But when it happens on the civilian side, it does not get reported.”
Civilian control of the Army is imperative in a democracy, but India is taking it too far; embarrassing the military just to prove the obedience of the Indian military compared to it Pakistani counterpart is not advisable. And more importantly, if we Indians are so concerned about the worth of our military, why was there no protest against Gul Panag’s recent tweet that the Army Chief General Kapoor is ‘spineless’? In response to Gul’s tweet some Sudhir K. Singh tweets “U should have called Deepak Kapoor ’spineless’ much earlier. Calling him one now would suggest you are shooting a lame duck.”
We can tolerate such comments against an in-office Army Chief without raising protest, but can’t accept a anything less than court martial for Lt. Gen, Prakash.
Bravo, I could not think of any better way to de-moralize the Indian Armed Forces.
UPDATE: On February 22nd, the Armed Forces Tribunal stayed the court martial proceedings aganist Lt. General Prakash. findings of the previous Court of Inquiry have been rejected and a new CoI is expected to submit its report in the next two months.
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Indian govt have been blamed a lot where they do not intervene in Army matters (North East and K of (J&K) will agree). This act (of not acting) by Indian govt is doing good for Army’s morale. Numerous incidents like this have happened in past.
Gen Kapoor is Army Chief and in this case he has been chided (in controlled way) by Govt for controversial decision that he took (which was with in process).
Let’s assume this was an act of reminding Army top brass that civilian govt is still in charge. Then i must say it was a controlled and dignified attempt. It is not the morale of Army but top Army brass that’s hurt.
I do not think 1.1 million Army’s morale is not hurt when their chief’s order is revoked.
Rishi ur views are a reflection of how the Indian people perceive the army’s role and understand the validity of these views given the lack of open discussion on issues relating to the army.
As for North East and J&K, the Army does not act on its own, it has been directed and empowered by political leaders and legislative acts. If the Indian Army personnel are so brutal, why do they not act in brutal ways in other parts of the country?
Your point that this was a way of reminding that the civilian govt. is in charge. Did the Army challenge civilian authority in any way? I agree that action should have been taken aganist Lt. Gen. Prakash, but why did the civilian leadership have to define the course of action, over-ruling the army Chief’s decision. Using petty administrative issues to demonstrate civilian leadership’s supremacy is foolish. Pakistan’s experience has made us cynical….we want to have an army of robots who act on civlian commands without showing any signs of independent thinking…or simply thinking!
I am wondering why the Chief of Army Stafff, Gen Deepak Kapoor, has not tendered his resignation so far. But then, actually its nothing to wonder about.
First, the reasons why he should resign - he has ordered Court Martial proceedings against his Military Secretary in reversal to his prior decision of letting him off with administrative action, after being advised by the ministry to do so. It must be clarified that this is not about whether Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash is guilty or not, or culpable for that matter. It is irrespective of that.
The Chief had taken a decision to go against the recommendations of the Court of Inquiry by Eastern Command when he ordered administrative action. He had done so in face of strong criticism from all quarters. This means that he was reasonably certain of the fact that Gen Avdesh was not really culpable for the so called Sukna Land Scam. The decision was significant, and definitely not one that could have been taken without a thorough analysis of all inputs, possible implications and outcomes - at least one doesn’t think so. It was all the more significant because of the corresponding decision for tougher action against the other prime entity in the case, Lt Gen Rath.
Now, in reversing the decision on the basis of the ‘advice’ of the Defence Minister through the ministry means one of two things. Either the prior decision was wrong or the reversal is under pressure.
If the former, then it speaks of any one or more of it being ill considered / hasty / motivated. Given the importance of the decision, it being any of these should be grounds enough for self introspection. If the latter, and there being no material changes in available information, it amounts to allowing a subordinate whom one considers to be innocent to be punished under pressure. In either case, there is only course for a principled military leader - to stand up for one’s values and principles.
Unfortunately, it is not a wonder because in the last few years it has become amply clear that principled military leadership has become a rare commodity. So they plod along, perpetuating mediocrity, brazen flouting all norms of morality. And when caught, take the rap on the knuckles hoping that they get away with minimum damage to what matters the most to them - themselves. And hope for the crumbs that would be thrown to them as long as they remain good boys.
Military service is all about values and principles. It can not be otherwise, as the intentions and integrity of any leader or subordinate can not be suspect. Lives depend on each individual being true to his salt.