Veterans need to be responsible Samaan Magazine Jan 2019
http://indianarmyveterans.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=2&&sublinkid=1449&lid=1044 (pg 34)
Veterans need to be responsible Samaan Magazine Jan 2019
Across social media, veterans are out with vengeance blaming the senior hierarchy for all ills which the armed forces face in the present time. Almost every day a new subject arises, and the blaming of the hierarchy commences. In recent times it has been OROP, non-grant of NFU, degradation of status, restructuring and the withdrawal of entitled rations. The perception being projected is that the hierarchy enjoys all benefits while the rank and file are being denied.
During the height of the OROP agitation there were calls for the service chiefs to tender their resignations. The impression being conveyed was that by submitting their resignations, service chiefs would have applied the requisite pressure on the government. The fact that such an action would have implied mutiny and was unbecoming of the Indian armed forces was ignored. Most were unaware that the chiefs were quietly operating in the background, seeking to convince the government to act. It was stated by many veterans that the non-visit to the agitation site by service chiefs gave the government confidence to back-track on granting complete OROP.
The move to the courts by the father of Major Aditya in his personal capacity as also filing of a writ petition by over 700 officers and men against the court’s order in the Manipur “So-Called” encounter killing case is being projected on social media as a case of the army ignoring its own. Most critics never ventured to evaluate the reasons behind the same nor contacted the father of Major Aditya to know the true reason. The cancellation of entitled rations has also been blamed on service chiefs. In summary, for every action, the senior hierarchy is blamed.
The present restructuring and reconsideration of officer ranks being undertaken by the army HQs is also facing flak. Whether it is to project their own anger at their hard-earned retirement ranks being made redundant or their unwillingness to accept changes to the existing structure is debateable. Issues under consideration or discussion even at service HQs are being blown out of proportion as detrimental to the system. Veterans are unwilling to accept that those in the chair at present have a better understanding of ground realities and the future of warfare and hence are better suited to act.
A recent comment doing the rounds on social media is that senior officers only have negative powers over their juniors. They can impose restrictions, award punishment and curtail rights and privileges. They are incapable of doing anything positive like increasing pay, perks and status. Such negative inputs impact the reputation and bonhomie within the system.
There are also adverse statements on social media that those who have risen in the military hierarchy are undeserving and have assumed their ranks due to support from known superiors, hence are being blamed for ignoring the rank and file. Thus, in summary, all senior officers are ill-concerned about their juniors, ignore their well- being and are self- serving. Such internal criticism does not exist in any other central organization, whether it be the CAPFs or other central services.
These negative comments on social media are also being extracted and misused by inimical powers. Fake handles from across the border targeting the Indian rank and file are known to exploit comments made by a section of veterans. It is one of the most important forms of information warfare, which is never considered by those commenting against the system.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The present hierarchy has risen through the same ladder, undergone the same tribulations, though not with the advent of social media. Hence, in earlier days actions at the apex would not have been easily visible, nor publicly criticized. There is no doubt that those at the helm are concerned for the well-being of the serving and providing the best which can be given in the current circumstances. Raising these issues on social media neither helps the system nor is it the answer.
Post the advent of social media, most veterans, who were otherwise leading quiet retired lives have suddenly become experts and have begun targeting the service for even imagined ills. The common Indian, now active on social media begins to lose faith in the military and starts to believe that the military hierarchy is only self-serving. Even modernization and restructuring, which in any case is the decision of those at the apex is being questioned. Every decision is being linked to political favours being sought or taken.
In the present day there are no restrictions on the serving being part of social media, except that they are not permitted to provide details of their military service. Hence, serving from all ranks are present in every social media site and group. In many cases, the serving and veterans are on common groups, mainly on WhatsApp and Facebook.
Thus, as they follow discussions and comments being projected by the veterans, their young minds are also influenced. The trust and faith in the system, which was the hallmark of the armed forces over decades has now begun to erode, basically because there are many projecting perceived ills in open forums.
In the Indian armed forces, the veterans and the serving also have a strong bond. In many units, the veterans are the guiding light as also role models for the serving. Those who have served together share warm memories and experiences. Thus, their words of criticism and blaming the current hierarchy conveys a wrong impression and breaks the fibre on which this great institution has been built. It impresses on young minds that the present hierarchy is neither with them nor willing to support their decision.
The serving of today are the veterans of tomorrow. Thus, what they perceive on social media today, is the direction they would take tomorrow. If the veteran community is only seeking to be a critic of the existing system, then the future of the service may not be too bright.
Therefore, the veterans need to realize that unless they adopt the right approach, they may harm a bonded service for eternity. Veterans have the time and hence should seek to understand the circumstances under which the service HQs and the top hierarchy functions, instead of just forwarding critical messages or commenting without verifying. By their experience and age, they should be able to comprehend that those at the apex are seeking the best for the service, rather than being self-serving.
There is no denying the fact that there are shortfalls within the system. There is immense to be done, whether it be giving the armed forces their dues, making up its deficiencies, catering for the welfare of the soldier and ensuring his protection from the courts. However, many have failed to realize that there are actions in hand to over come these shortfalls. India as a democracy can never give answers and results overnight.
This does not imply that any rights of veterans to criticize the system as it exists presently is being questioned. What is being questioned is the manner adopted. What is being questioned is that for everything the hierarchy is being blamed, without making any effort to understand the how’s and why’s.
The strong internal fibre of the armed forces of the present has been derived from the actions and sacrifices of its predecessors. The same would be the case tomorrow. Those who head the organization also have responsibilities and limitations. They may have power within, but limited influence outside. They have responsibilities downwards but limited influence towards the top. They are never nor would ever be all-powerful in the Indian democratic system.
It is for the veterans to consider their approach to social media and seek to project a correct picture of the system, rather than attempting to find faults. They should realize that their comments impact young impressionable minds resulting in breaking the trust which has been a part of the service over the past seven decades. Social media a tool which can either be exploited to enhance morale or be responsible to break the bond and fibre which has always existed in the system. It is for the veterans to individually decide whether they wish to enhance the internal fibre and bonding of the service or work towards its downfall.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army