Every true Indian should pass this on
A DISSATISFIED MILITARY IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF ANY NATION
(INDIA) - BY LT GEN PRAKASH KATOCH (RETD)>
(INDIA) - BY LT GEN PRAKASH KATOCH (RETD)>
Early last year, the former COAS, Gen VK Singh (now MoS in the Modi Govt)
went to lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate accompanied
by 7-8 veteran General Officers – all wearing their regimental side caps
and some even their medals. Army Headquarters, or shall we say the
misnomer Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) had been informed in advance and so
a serving Colonel from Ceremonials and Welfare Directorate of Army HQ
was present at the site.
But as veterans came forward to lay the wreath, a company of baton wielding
police accompanied with water cannon fitted vehicles charged forward. A
police officer curtly told Gen VK Singh that the wreath cannot be laid
because the inner sanctum of the Amar Jawan Jyoti is with MHA whose
permission had not been obtained. As this conversation was on, the water
cannons opened up, much to the amazement of people visiting India Gate
including a host of foreigners who even asked what on earth
was happening. Needless to mention that the MHA permission bit came as a surprise.
went to lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate accompanied
by 7-8 veteran General Officers – all wearing their regimental side caps
and some even their medals. Army Headquarters, or shall we say the
misnomer Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) had been informed in advance and so
a serving Colonel from Ceremonials and Welfare Directorate of Army HQ
was present at the site.
But as veterans came forward to lay the wreath, a company of baton wielding
police accompanied with water cannon fitted vehicles charged forward. A
police officer curtly told Gen VK Singh that the wreath cannot be laid
because the inner sanctum of the Amar Jawan Jyoti is with MHA whose
permission had not been obtained. As this conversation was on, the water
cannons opened up, much to the amazement of people visiting India Gate
including a host of foreigners who even asked what on earth
was happening. Needless to mention that the MHA permission bit came as a surprise.
Logically, if a former Chief informs his Service HQ that he wants to lay a
wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, Army HQ should have made all arrangements
including required permission from MHA. But then Gen VK Singh was
later to join BJP and he as COAS had succeeded by the 'chosen one', so it was but
expected.
Same evening during a debate on NDTV, I was asked if I was scared by the
police charge, since I was present at India Gate in the morning?
expected.
Same evening during a debate on NDTV, I was asked if I was scared by the
police charge, since I was present at India Gate in the morning?
My response was that it was amusing (not scary) to note here was a
Home Minister ordering water cannons on veteran officers while he
was scared stiff when the Chinese made a 19 km deep intrusion at Raki Nala in
Depsang area of Ladakh, held by ITBP directly under his command, and
even croaked a scary scandalous statement in Parliament
was scared stiff when the Chinese made a 19 km deep intrusion at Raki Nala in
Depsang area of Ladakh, held by ITBP directly under his command, and
even croaked a scary scandalous statement in Parliament
"we have no jurisdiction in the area".
The media now reveals this same now former Home Minister, Sushil Shinde,
not only enjoys the same security cover as Home Minister but security
cover has also been extended to his wife, three daughters and even the
grandchildren. How many more politicians like him are enjoying such
illegal perks on public money is anyone's guess.
But then isn't this another form of corruption and shouldn't corruption be part and
not only enjoys the same security cover as Home Minister but security
cover has also been extended to his wife, three daughters and even the
grandchildren. How many more politicians like him are enjoying such
illegal perks on public money is anyone's guess.
But then isn't this another form of corruption and shouldn't corruption be part and
parcel of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
…something totally unexpected under the present government happened at
Jantar Mantar on August 14, when Delhi Police and CRPF charged the
peacefully protesting veterans in a bid to evict them from the venue.
Now take the nautanki at Jantar Mantar in the days preceding August 15.
Jantar Mantar on August 14, when Delhi Police and CRPF charged the
peacefully protesting veterans in a bid to evict them from the venue.
Now take the nautanki at Jantar Mantar in the days preceding August 15.
The likes of Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal and Co merely wanted to make
political mileage of the situation as they had not even squeaked a word
against the above mentioned incident at India Gate last year.
Besides, Rahul's party has been largely responsible for lowering
the prestige, pay and allowances of the military over the decades, even to
the point of ridiculing war widows, war disabled and veterans.
political mileage of the situation as they had not even squeaked a word
against the above mentioned incident at India Gate last year.
Besides, Rahul's party has been largely responsible for lowering
the prestige, pay and allowances of the military over the decades, even to
the point of ridiculing war widows, war disabled and veterans.
This is not first time that veterans have protested for OROP at Jantar Mantar. On
earlier occasion, veterans even returned their medals and gallantry awards to the President,
earlier occasion, veterans even returned their medals and gallantry awards to the President,
with letters written in their blood. That the President, as Supreme Commander,
never even met their representatives too is well known.
Referring to the recent letter titled 'Open Letter to Rashtrapati:
A WARNING TO THE NATION'
Referring to the recent letter titled 'Open Letter to Rashtrapati:
A WARNING TO THE NATION'
by four former Service Chiefs to the President recently
concerning OROP, Devasahayam MG, former Secretary GoI and former army
officer writes,
concerning OROP, Devasahayam MG, former Secretary GoI and former army
officer writes,
"Sorry to sound cynical. Wonder whether you know what
the former Supreme Commander did when nearly 1500 veterans
who included Lt. Generals, Vice Admirals, Air Marshals and ORs and
the former Supreme Commander did when nearly 1500 veterans
who included Lt. Generals, Vice Admirals, Air Marshals and ORs and
some civilians including the humble under-signed signed a very well
articulated representation against the fraud played on General VK Singh
in the name of 'disputed' DoB and a delegation comprising of couple
of top-ranking veterans and one civilian sought appointment to submit the
representation to her.
President's office gave appointment thrice and at the last moment this 'lady' got it cancelled.
articulated representation against the fraud played on General VK Singh
in the name of 'disputed' DoB and a delegation comprising of couple
of top-ranking veterans and one civilian sought appointment to submit the
representation to her.
President's office gave appointment thrice and at the last moment this 'lady' got it cancelled.
On one occasion the delegation had got into the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt when
they received a call that appointment was cancelled. We found out later
that this act of cowardice was due to the greed of this lady to get tenure
as President and she did not want to annoy the powers-that-be in
any manner. Some Supreme Commander this!"
…many theories are now circulating like: Modi is not in full control; there
are two power centres within the BJP; the power centre controlling the
inflow of foreign funds is the more powerful one with its mafia links… But
then something totally unexpected under the present government happened
at Jantar Mantar on August 14, when Delhi Police and CRPF charged the
peacefully protesting veterans in a bid to evict them from the venue.
The media had a field day covering the most unfortunate scuffle, shown live
on many media channels. The veterans asked if they were a security threat and
are two power centres within the BJP; the power centre controlling the
inflow of foreign funds is the more powerful one with its mafia links… But
then something totally unexpected under the present government happened
at Jantar Mantar on August 14, when Delhi Police and CRPF charged the
peacefully protesting veterans in a bid to evict them from the venue.
The media had a field day covering the most unfortunate scuffle, shown live
on many media channels. The veterans asked if they were a security threat and
desperately tried to contact Bassi, Delhi Police Commissioner
who conveniently refused to take any calls.
The photograph of an old veteran with his medals (that ostensibly are
awarded by the President, the Supreme Commander) torn off his shirt has
been going viral, some even demanding that people responsible should
touch his feet and apologize but then who is bothered in the hierarchy
about such incident which would shame any other nation.
who conveniently refused to take any calls.
The photograph of an old veteran with his medals (that ostensibly are
awarded by the President, the Supreme Commander) torn off his shirt has
been going viral, some even demanding that people responsible should
touch his feet and apologize but then who is bothered in the hierarchy
about such incident which would shame any other nation.
There have been angry remarks that the Delhi Police and CRPF are responsible
but then tell me if they were not acting on the orders of the Home Minister, with
but then tell me if they were not acting on the orders of the Home Minister, with
approval of the Prime Minister. Here the issue is not propriety or impropriety of protesting at
Jantar Mantar against non-implementation of OROP, but why police
forces were launched against peacefully protesting veterans.
Jantar Mantar against non-implementation of OROP, but why police
forces were launched against peacefully protesting veterans.
The bottom-line is that by doing so the stature of the PM and the HM has
certainly reduced by this action unless they can come up with a
plausible explanation.
More significantly, it is little known that had MoS General V K Singh who
intervened on August 14 against Police action at Jantar Mantar and got
the veterans' agitation restored, with his personal staff running around
and securing the permissions for veterans to continue their agitation gracefully,
certainly reduced by this action unless they can come up with a
plausible explanation.
More significantly, it is little known that had MoS General V K Singh who
intervened on August 14 against Police action at Jantar Mantar and got
the veterans' agitation restored, with his personal staff running around
and securing the permissions for veterans to continue their agitation gracefully,
the damage would have been much more, as intended by the mafia.
Modi's August 15 announcement of the issue being under discussion and RM
Parrikar's repetitions of 'being committed' and 'coming soon' cuts little ice in
the backdrop of the governments publicity that here is a Prime Minister who
Parrikar's repetitions of 'being committed' and 'coming soon' cuts little ice in
the backdrop of the governments publicity that here is a Prime Minister who
personally demands a progress report from all the MoS every 100 days.
How come then he cannot resolve the 'jatil samasya' of a mere some Rs 8,330 crores
OROP after 15 months in office when the Govt surrendered Rs 6000 Cr from
last year's defence budget, another Rs 1000 croresallotted for the National War
Memorial lapsed, claimed during the 2013 ESM rally at
Rewari that OROP would have been implemented in 2004 if BJP was in
power, and BJP President committing to representatives of the ESM that
OROP would be announced within 10 days.
Rewari that OROP would have been implemented in 2004 if BJP was in
power, and BJP President committing to representatives of the ESM that
OROP would be announced within 10 days.
So it is but natural that many theories are now circulating like: Modi is not in full control;
there are two power centres within the BJP; the one centre controlling
the inflow of foreign funds is the more powerful one
with its mafia links, and; the because of fiscal needs of future elections
with its mafia links, and; the because of fiscal needs of future elections
perforce Modi has to toe the line.
Notwithstanding the above, it is an established fact that while governments
come and governments go, the mafia that orchestrates this country on
behest of foreign powers have ensured that the defence of India remains largely
defunct; keeping the military away from strategic policy formulation,
higher defence organizations remaining outdated sans military advice,
Notwithstanding the above, it is an established fact that while governments
come and governments go, the mafia that orchestrates this country on
behest of foreign powers have ensured that the defence of India remains largely
defunct; keeping the military away from strategic policy formulation,
higher defence organizations remaining outdated sans military advice,
keeping the military under equipped, divided and under the misdirected
civilian rule of bureaucracy, not the political hierarchy as it should be.
civilian rule of bureaucracy, not the political hierarchy as it should be.
The much needed administrative reforms don't appear to be part of the Govt's
agenda anyway. Make in India, which is yet to take off in the defence
sector anyway is not the be all and end all of defending India, much
that the unaccountable MoD bureaucracy may want the political hierarchy
to believe.
agenda anyway. Make in India, which is yet to take off in the defence
sector anyway is not the be all and end all of defending India, much
that the unaccountable MoD bureaucracy may want the political hierarchy
to believe.
When PM Modi asked the public suggestions for his Independence Day
speech, I suggested he declares his intention of reorganizing the
higher defence set up of the country including the MoD and ordering a
comprehensive defence review.
Unfortunately, the Defence Minister too has made no move whatsoever in this
direction. The mafia obviously is too strong for the hierarchy to understand that
belittling the veterans in turn amounts to belittling the military. Lt Gen
NS Brar, former Dy Chief Integrated Defence Staff and Member AFT writes,
"Our polity by design and default has proceeded to politicize,
downgrade and demoralize its own armed forces and veterans.
As Bahadur Shah Zafar wrote after 1857 ;
'Na Shah Iran ne na Czar Roos ne,
Angres ko bardad kiya kartoos ne'.
It can now be said
'Na Cheen ne na Pakistan ne,
apnee fauj ko barbad kiya Hindustan ne'.
A dissatisfied military is not in the interest of any nation least of all India…
A dissatisfied military is not in the interest of any nation least of all India which has to
A dissatisfied military is not in the interest of any nation least of all India which has to
contend with multifarious internal and external security issues. The nation at large and
the political leadership must be alive to the prevailing sentiments and act appropriately
lest the gates of military stations are opened".
lest the gates of military stations are opened".
The Prime Minister needs to take a call if he wants to continue in the same wake as
the last Govt in matters of defence including installing a puppet
permanent chairman COSC or move beyond 'Make in India' and make a difference.
(Source- Via e-mail
from YR Raghavan - 17 Aug 2015 Net Edition Issue (Indian Defence Review)
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