The army chief speaks the truth (English Version) Rakshak News 28 Feb 18
At a seminar in Delhi last week, on the North East, the army chief, General Rawat spoke about the impact illegal immigration has had in the region. He commented on the phenomenal growth of a predominantly Moslem party, AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front). He even went on to compare this party with the Jan Sangh of the eighties. This came in for severe criticism from political parties, mainly from the opposition. The chief only compared the phenomenal growth of two political parties, both with a religious agenda, one growing rapidly presently while the other was stagnating in the eighties. It was done to basically draw lessons.
Illegal immigration, which was the reason for enhanced political support to the AIDUF, has been an ongoing process into Assam from mainly East Pakistan, presently Bangladesh, for a very long time. Scarcity of land and burgeoning population forced residents from Bangladesh to emigrate. Assam has faced the brunt of this move, which has resulted in over nine districts having been demographically affected.
Criticism flowed from the Congress and AIMIM basically because both parties had personal interests in supporting emigrants. It was the Congress which throughout its rule of Assam backed emigrants, mainly considering them as vote banks. It even implemented the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) act in 1983, placing restrictions on any government in Assam from deporting illegal immigrants. Thus, it remained in power for decades. AIMIM and AIUDF are both politico-religious hence in nexus as also changing demography benefits them.
These political parties have ignored the damage that illegal immigration has caused. Insurgent groups initially arose in the state due to this demographic change, where an Assamese is presently finding himself as a minority in his own state. These have claimed thousands of lives and immense economic loss, but state governments still refused to act, protecting vote banks. It continues, and the state remains under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) even today. It was in this context that the chief spoke.
As the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Corps, he was aware of the impact of this demographic change. He also knew that such emigration requires support from nations inimical to Indian interests. For decades India knew that the Assam insurgency was being supported from Bangladesh by the Pak ISI. The leaders of the movement were camping in the Chittagong hills and obtaining weapons through the ISI conduits. Insurgency in the rest of the North East had Chinese backing. Logically, China and Pak would benefit if the North East, akin to J and K, would be on the boil. Hence, when the chief stated Chinese and Pak support to the illegal immigration, he was very correct.
Indian politicians have only witnessed army chiefs who have remained silent when political parties have ignored national security for vote banks and power. Soldiers have been dying daily mainly because governments have not handled rising unrest in time. J and K is clearly an example of this inept handling. Stone throwers are pardoned, while those who fire in self-defence are booked. Soldiers are booked for human rights violations, while those who attack them have these rights.
Now that there is an army chief who is willing to share the concerns of the million-strong army, remind the nation of political blunders, seeks no political office and would quietly fade into retirement, politicians are worried. They pick sentences and criticize. They fear that he would gain national respect and skeletons which they have carefully hidden over the years would tumble out.
The army chief has spoken what they would fear to speak. His words, ‘‘We have to live with the people of the region, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or sex. If we understand that, we will be able to live together happily’ are words which politicians should be enunciating but hesitate. He has sought to bind the populace, not divide it, yet he is being criticized.
It is after a long time that we have a chief who is willing to share the concerns of the army with the nation. Let us support him, not suppress the voice representing the army, the only institution which rushes in whenever the nation needs it, is apolitical and highly respected.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army