Major of Malegaon

MAJOR OF MALEGAON

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)

There is no doubt that media in India is over projecting the Malegaon Major episode in which a serving Army officer of the rank of Lt Col and some retired officers are being questioned for abetting the blasts in Malegaon in Maharashtra in which few persons were killed. These officers are being suspected of sympathizers of Hindu outfit. Media in fact is surviving on such masala (Indicates sensational) type news and trying to over do things. In fact, the recent articles on Indian Army etc in news papers is the part of substantial and spirited plan by the vested interests in media to defame Indian army and its officers in a systematic campaign. Why they do not do the same thing to police and civilian officers? Because this is sensational. Secondly if they write about them they would be screwed immediately. Army can not do any thing except representing to MOD and feel unhappy. But police and civilian govt can twist tails by other methods. They are overdoing things to project as if army is aiding terrorism. Even in Tehelca graft cases army guys were over blown while civilian corrupt guys are still going strong. People have forgotten about them. Army guys have been already punished. Hope they would derive some wisdom soon and act on national interests than some personal benefits by denigrating some organization that can not defend themselves
I agree that civilians and every one looks at army as the last bastion in the present crumbling Indian nation that is getting devoid of values and truthful living. It is not only in India but also in the entire world that Army stands out as the model of discipline and blemish less conduct. . My point of contention is the extra enthusiasm that is being shown by the media in their depictions in TV through clippings, flash news and scrolling as if the whole army has gone backing terrorists in this country. In fact, Army as an organization, if it has to take sides and bring pressure on minorities in this country, they would not have confined themselves to the barracks all these days. They would have been on the streets wielding Self loading Rifles (SLR) with bayonets and AK 47 through a Coup de tat long ago. The very fact of the Indian army remaining on the back seat itself is the indication of its commitment and loyalty to the constitution and norms of democracy in this country. One can not deny this fact. The only problem what Army had was their long standing and frustrating issue of pay and problems of equivalence with civil counterparts. Army has to be top in the country in all aspects and people expect this. Then, why Army is being given step motherly treatment in this country? A sure point for Ministry of Defence (MOD) about grievances of army personnel. Why army has to beg for its dues? Again there is a limit to this. You do not expect unionism in their representations. Civilian govt reacts and raises the bogy of discipline when these representations reach some limit and when they become defensive and are cornered. That is what happened when the Three Chiefs represented that they would not implement pay commission recommendations recently. MOD even hinted action and gave a veiled threat. Ball immediately rolled back as usual. It was just saber rattling. Probably Army guys are getting prepared to accept screwing till the next pay commission because there is no way out for them. Army does not fight on empty stomachs in any country.Cases of indiscipline In fact are there everywhere, so also in India.
Infact Army was kept aloof from the civilian influence over the years before independence. Army Cantonments are located far away from civilian areas and civilian residential areas were not allowed to grow close by. Except some civilian servants staying in the out- hoses in officers residences, not many civilians were there in cantonments. The officers were also trained at Academies such that they were out of civilian influences and purely remained professional. This went on for very long even in sixties. With passage of time and encroachment of civilian areas in cantonments, interaction became more and more.Officers and men are more informed now. Earlier, the only information channels were newspapers and radio. But with technical explosion in recent times, availability of TV everywhere and the recent growth of internet world wide , army no more remains a frog in the well . It has undergone great change. The regimental traditions too have dwindled. How many times dinner nights ( silent ?) are held in military units that used to be very common in sixtees where stiff lipped officers say To the president while drinking toast ( Actually water poured in wine cups inlieu of real wine.. after all this is a Gandhian land)? Influence of Civilian coduct on army is natural. One can not be a passive on looker always. However it does not mean that Army has to directly involve in civilian politics. Years ago talking politics was a taboo in army. Even to day it is a taboo. Yet people are more informed today and they do harbor views. Army is viewed as a Holy cow all these days and we wish it remains. But circumstances do make influence on organizations. Army is no exception.
It is alleged now that army officers leaked the expertise of explosives to the shady men to assemble bombs. The important point now to note is that technical expertise for assembling an explosive device is no more a big secret. One can always get information on internet in great details including the various make shift explosives and initiating devices. A normal cracker manufacturer can supply the know how. A bit of ingenuity is what required and all the terrorists have this. In AP state in Royala seema areas it is alleged that almost every house manufactures bombs. Arlagadda is famous for local country bombs. Terrorists in India no more need an inspiration or technical advice for assembling explosive devices and initiating them. The second aspect is the psychological support to these outfits. This greatly depends on moral fiber of the uniformed men. I like to draw the attention to formation of Indian National Army that was formed and commanded by distinguished Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose years ago. The members were invariably the captured soldiers from British Indian Army. They were the loyal troops of India. But Netaji could transform them to join INA. That was the national inspiration to which they were drawn. It is also true therefore that blind loyalty need not be eternal and depends on many other factors. In India there is no reason to doubt about the loyalty of uniformed forces. The present tussle between Civilian Babus and political leaders with army has to be sorted out or else trouble would soon appear and this could be the reason for erosion of much cherished values. One can read the blog posts on the sites to know the situation to day. See the reactions of men for the article in India Express. Writing on the wall has to be seen. Better done earlier it is better. Secondly, the vicious TV campaign against the army should be stopped and blocked forthwith as this is doing very great damage to the entire nation. In fact such investigations even if they are to be conducted should have been out of public sight as this could do great damage to the morale of troops. The investigation team is being blamed for leaking information to media. Why it should be done?
There is no doubt that law is above every one. But there have to some procedures. It can not be free for all and wild actions. All these arrests may not stand in court as the evidence could prove to be false. Then what happens? If Purohit and all others are acquitted in a court of law can the government that remains a mute witness to the happenings bring back the respect to Purohit and others even if retired? Can they take away black scar from army’s face? They can not do it. So the present over enthusiasm should be curbed. Investigations must go on no doubt. This should not be washing of dirty linen in public. That is going on now. If Purohit and others get acquitted can they file defamatory suit against the agencies that are highlighting the show at present They should in fact. Can the bitterness be taken away from army that could finally prove dangerous and disastrous to the country at a later stage?
Indiscipline is there occasionally in all organizations. So army too. But such incidents are negligent in army. Police forces are also disciplined in this country to a great extent except few incidents of CRPF going out in mutiny some time ago and Army had to disarm them in which a Major was killed. My point is that isolated incidents should not be overblown. At present, there is a great tussle between Army officers and the civilian Babus ( IAS men). Naturally these civilian men are in better position to defend themselves as they are at governing end. As some one said earlier that Army has to be under civil control. But not under civilian babu control. That is what happening now. The guys who are deciding about army appear to be prejudiced as seen by most of the people in uniform. All actions have to be transparent in governing. But that is not so in India. The tussle has gone for very long since the days of C- in- C and later FM Cariappa.To day’s crisis involving babus and army guys is the outcome of this long standing frustration and unhappiness over inability to bring MOD on its line.My point is why media does not focus high on various charges on civilians and Police guys although there are many instances. Most of the civilian cases are unnoticed and do not get attention. Most of the news papers can not function if they are out of favor of the ruling elite. Defamation suits would follow soon. They will not get government advertisements. There are very few who can stand out with a stiff back bone. Such establishments and their leaders are trapped in various charges in this country. It is a known fact that those who rule do not expose their limitations and shortcomings while others are pressed on. Otherwise for them there is no existence.
This country is a democratic country. Periodic elections bring these guys including shady and corrupt guys to power. Can a political party win if the deeds are exposed? So they would go all out to scrub off all muck shit under the mat. The ruling elite and parties have their own people in media. They will take care of this. Army has nothing like this except to give some press statements that are also severely edited and censored. Therefore my contention is that media should play a positive role in promoting army image than on sensationalism that of late has taken charge of journalism in this country that is getting devoid of all values and decent governing. Remember how American media handled Water Gate cases and other President Clinton’s cases about sex? They did not spare them. Can we do such things in India? I am sure we shall not.


Dr K Prabhkar Rao