Indian Army – A disciplined force?
This blogger receives many non sequitur comments on posts about the military which start from angrily questioning the patriotism to seeking unconditional emotional support for the beleaguered soldier. Many of them believe that this blogger is presenting an imbalanced and incorrect picture of the real situation by highlighting unfavourable information pertaining to the three services. Colonel (Retd) PK Vasudeva has done a favour to these friends by providing the statistics about the indiscipline record for the Indian Army.
There have been more than 600 court marshals [sic] since 2001 and more than 10,000 complaints against the supersession in various ranks. In 2006 alone, there have been more than 105 court marshal cases. Out of these, 11 court marshals have been on account of rapes, 8 for murders, 12 for violation of human rights, 5 for sexual abuse, 35 for indulging in scams and corruption, 7 for firing incidents and 27 due to other civil offences including stealing affections of brother officers’ wives. Alarmingly, on an average there have been 50 to 60 court marshals every year for the last one decade…
Vasudeva also highlights certain major incidents pertaining to individuals, from peddling political influence for promotion by Air Marshal Sekhon to corruption and embezzlement by various General officers. More interesting is the misuse and diversion of public funds allotted for counter-insurgency operations by the Calcutta based Eastern Command, commented upon by the CAG. It clearly shows that the apathy and disdain towards the soldier is not the sole preserve of the politicians and bureaucrats, as fallaciously believed by the rank and file of the Indian armed forces. The Generals, Air Marshals and Admirals share the same apathy for the trooper.
…according to the Comptroller and Auditor-General, in 2002 huge funds earmarked for combating militancy were found to have been diverted by the Eastern Army Command (EAC) authorities to purchase vehicles, television sets, VCRs, computers and generators. Making a scrutiny of the allocations for the first time, the CAG said the EAC purchased consumer goods worth Rs 6.79 crores over a period of three years from 1998 to 2001 from the Rs 10 crore annual funds given to Army Commanders by way of special financial powers.
“These funds are allocated to meet urgent and immediate requirements of counter-insurgency operations and internal security duties,” the CAG observed as it indicted the Army for diverting the funds to purchase consumer goods saying that these should have been purchased under normal overheads. [CC]
This strengthens the argument furnished earlier by Pragmatic that no organisation, including the army, navy and the air force, should be granted immunity against a scrupulous examination or scathing criticism in a vibrant, democratic and confident India. Our “patriotic” media need not turn a blind eye to the many shortcomings of the military organisations. The tendency of the modern journalist is to highlight and sensationalise individual aberrations rather than focus on systemic deficiencies; this tends to deflect attention from the real issues gripping the services nowadays. This cosset by the media is wont to do greater harm to the services in the long run. Our politicians, bureaucrats, intelligentsia and opinion makers need to take heed and guide the popular media to unsparingly focus on relevant and pertinent issues concerning the Indian military.
the correct version is Court Martial not Marshal!
@Gopal: Thanks.
The number of court martials should (and righfully must) be interpreted as a sign of an “effective justice system” in the Indian Army; as opposed to being a sign of Bad discipline. I am sure the Pakistani army has a better “track record” (if you may) – but then the rest is quite evident.
@Jonathan:
We should be happy that Pakistanis are brushing everything under the carpet — they will pay for it.
But I’d rather focus on the Indian army. My POV is that the Indian Army is treating the symptoms (by their “effective judicial system”) but not addressing the root of the malaise.
i feel we might as well take it as a case of ensuring a strict discipline rather than encouraging such a fine organisation to hide such indiscilined cases.if 0nly stats br the case i am sure politicians will come out as the most disciplined ones.
Agreed,there is an increasing number of court matrials in army especially the corruption cases ,and I would blame the poor salary again.
And I can write a book on ‘101 ways of how to run your house with office-property-manpower to save your salary’.Ha-ha I have seen it from so close.
I do not think that discipline cases have increased in the past 7 – 10 years. Cases as highlighted in the second paragraph always existed but were either brushed under the carpet or mostly settled unofficially.
The situation today has changed for various reasons like increased awareness of all ranks, the reluctance of the bosses to settle issues unofficially lest their action is taken as being party to the crime, increased policing by the media, increasing Indian crab mentality (pull down someone so that a vacancy gets created), career consciousness, etc. Thus ‘Let law take its own course’ has become the mantra.
Compensation in the Armed Forces were neither less nor are less nor will be less if all tangible and intangible factors are considered including the fact that it is only this organisation that provides a strong support system for life. Unfortunately people get carried away by high sounding CTCs offered by the Corporates. If properly dissected they are pittance and motherless working conditions come as bonus.
Scrupulous examination and scathing criticism is urgently required if the Armed Forces plan meaningful reforms and restructuring. The next best option is to put on pink glasses and be proud of the rosy view through the glasses.
Veeru has it right about the S3.
However, tea, sympathy or pure cussed bureaucratic and brass perversity is often mainlined in lieu.