God and soldiers only when in trouble The Statesman 09 Mar 16
In the past few months, events and incidents brought the performance of the silent Indian soldier into the limelight. In each case he quietly proved to the nation, that he can be unflinchingly depended upon, irrespective of the nature of the crises. The event passed and the silent warrior was forgotten, to be remembered only when the next crisis arises. However, in return, he has been treated unfairly and brought down in stature. No one cares to speak up for him or his kin.
The Jat agitation so shocked the government that it requested for army deployment even before employing central police and paramilitary forces, as per the norm. The government, in panic, ignored the principle of systematic response which ensures that the instrument of last resort is employed only when other means have failed. It was during this deployment, that wide spread misuse of army fatigues became clear. The army had to deploy carrying placards and banners indicating that they are the army and not a paramilitary or police force, which wears a copycat dress. The soldier performed as was expected of him, without a whimper or protest.
The Pampore and the Pathankot attacks claimed the lives of soldiers who died protecting government assets, while ensuring minimum loss of civilian lives. The locals pelted stones and indulged in slogan shouting to enable the militants to escape, but failed. The battle was won by the silent soldier, who steadfastly continued with his task. The discovery of a tunnel in J and K over the weekend is a clear indicator that attacks would continue as hitherto fore. The moving forward of dialogue is again on the cards and would progress, till the next incident scuttles it again. The martyrs of Pampore and Pathankot were given their due respect by a grateful nation, but as public memory is short, will soon be forgotten.
An avalanche on the glacier claimed the lives of ten soldiers. Irrespective of terrain and weather difficulties, soldiers continue holding posts and defending unimaginable heights only to ensure that no other nation can even contemplate to occupy our territory. Many lose life and limb due to the vagaries of the weather and terrain each year, but silently go about their task.
The seventh pay commission lowered the standing and prestige of this very soldier. It not only ranked Siachen way below the risk level of bureaucrats serving in a secure part of India, the North East, but also ensured that the military in comparison comes below all other paramilitary and police forces. While the army loses soldiers in Siachen, due to its inhabitable terrain, there have never been reports of similar losses of bureaucrats in the North East. The bureaucracy does not fight militancy; it occupies safe offices and residences in protected zones. The ruling by the pay commission was so absurd and insulting to the military that it compelled the three service chiefs to approach the defence minister to register their protest. The final verdict is yet to be out.
The One Rank One Pension (OROP) agitation has been running for almost a year. The aged veterans, who have been spearheading the agitation, have been crying hoarse from the ramparts of Jantar Mantar, for a rightful cause, but to no avail. They have been protesting peacefully and have even returned their medals, but the government has stuck to what it deemed fit. The finance minister has only acceded to whatever his wise bureaucrats have recommended. One week of a violent agitation by the Jats and the government capitulated and acceded to their demands, while almost a year of a just and peaceful agitation has had no impact. Is the government conveying a message to the veterans, that only holding the capital to ransom would give immediate and positive results?
The protests at JNU and the arrest of those leading anti-national protests received the support of many political parties. The anti-India protests was a sad day for any true Indian, however a bonanza for politicians. Could the infamous ‘Azadi from or Azadi within’ even been debated if national security was not assured? Those in JNU debating this issue have the silent soldier to thank but even fail to honour their own JNU martyrs who died at Pampore. JNU dominated proceedings in parliament and some political parties even approached the President for intervention. Surprisingly, not one political party voiced similar support for the veterans during OROP or for the armed forces demands against the pay commission. Not a cry was raised, nor was the government asked to explain its stand. Was this because the soldier is silent or because he trusts the political leadership?
This simple and sincere soldier who has responsibly been ensuring national security and enhancing national integration has been ignored by the government and those in power. Since his rules and regulations do not permit him to agitate or strike, discuss politics or question government decisions, all he can do is bank on the nation for support. Therefore, governments have praised him in public, but when it comes to giving him his due, receded to the background. He is the cannon fodder to be employed earliest when the administration fails and natural calamities cause damage. However, he is the last, when the issue of giving him his due arises.
The nation looks to the military whenever there is a crises or a threat. Once that recedes, then national security is pushed to the background till the next event. Political leaders can spend days debating JNU, Rohith and the Jat agitation as also hold the government to ransom on these issues, but cannot spare even a moment to question the government on OROP and lowering of the status of the military in the pay commission.
Is this because ‘God and soldiers are only remembered in times of trouble’?
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army