Age row: Save the dignity of defence personnel, please

Unprecedented. That’s how most reactions to Army Chief General VK Singh action today — he moved the Supreme Court against the government on the age row — go. Never before in the history of Indian military-civilian government did an Army chief take the government to court. But there is no reason why there should be no break in precedent. Particularly when there is a dispute, on which no agreement is possible. What is unprecedented here is so many top retired defence personnel coming out on the television and airing their views on the issue with such force. It rankles when such dignified people take sides on an issue and argue aloud. That is what civilians do. From the layman’s perspective, it does not behove defence personnel. It is a dangerous trend taking shape. If it goes unhindered, it will ultimately end up lowering the prestige of the military in the country. [caption id=“attachment_184183” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Ideally, any such issue involving top defence personnel and the ministry of defence should be settled behind closed doors, given the dignity of the institution of the Army. Reuters”]  [/caption] Now, the facts of the case. The government maintains — based on the records with the office of the military secretary, which handles promotions and postings — that General Singh was born on 10 May 1950, while the latter contends that the date of birth is 10 May 1951. The records with the Adjutant General, the official record keeper of the Army, support the claim. Besides, he has a dozen documents, including the matriculation certificate, to back him. Going by these, he gets one more year in service. Ideally, any such issue involving top defence personnel and the ministry of defence should be settled behind closed doors, given the dignity of the institution of the Army. It would be a simple matter had there not been a back story to the issue. The age issue is likely to disturb the succession plan in the Army. In case of the present Army chief’s retirement this year, Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, currently the Commander, Eastern Command, is likely to take over. If the government accepts the contention of the former, General Vikram Singh’s case gets disturbed. Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, Commander, Northern Command, is likely to take over if he retires in 2013. Media sources have hinted at skulduggery in the defence ministry to scuttle the Army chief’s case and have already made it a government vs the defence establishment topic. What is so dishonourable if the Army chief goes to the court? Isn’t it the right way to go when two institutions of the democracy don’t agree? General Singh has already said that the “issue is that of integrity and honour.” “There is no controversy or fight between me and the defence ministry. There are perceptional differences and that is a totally personal issue… I have not personally seen any rift…Integrity is an issue which I have flagged and it is totally a personal issue and that is where it ends,” he said. If he wants to fight it out, that goes perfectly with his image. It is interesting how in a subject where even the usually aggressive opposition has been careful with its comments, the media have jumped in to create trouble. It has to be taken into account that General Singh is hugely popular in the Army and such public discussion is sending out wrong messages among the personnel. Even the government has been very careful about its responses to the development. “Just nobody…nobody should believe that the General has not spoken the truth,” said Law Minister Salman Khurshid last week. But “as far as legality and rules are concerned, sometimes you feel helpless. You have given to yourselves a legal framework and you can’t escape from it,” he added. Both sides have faced the matter with great dignity. It is totally mischievous to pit one against the other, which seems to be the attempt in certain circles. Coming back to the television appearance of retired defence personnel, they should avoid the medium. They will end of lowering the dignity and moral authority of the forces without intending to do so.