Taking a Stand

The news recently was all about some opposition ‘leaders’ criticizing our Army Chief for taking a stand. One of them went so far as to call him names. To be more specific, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was referred to as ‘Galli Ka Gunda’ by ‘Former MP’ Sandeep Dikshit. This man had the audacity to justify the name-calling of General Rawat because the Chief appreciated his young officers and soldiers doing a difficult job in the Kashmir valley and hinted that if stone pelters fired at the army, they would hit back.

As a common citizen of India, and the mother of a young army officer recently martyred fighting terrorists to save precious lives in Nagrota (J&K), what he said, is in my opinion, unforgivable.  Many like me are hurt and saddened because the person leading one of the biggest and best armies in the world is being insulted for standing by his men who live and die to protect us.  Don’t the insults indirectly pass on to every soldier who is serving and defending our motherland?  Just because we are a democracy, do we really have to ‘tolerate’ this kind of ‘freedom of speech’? How much lower can politicians fall in our eyes?

The rationalist in me tries to set aside emotions and examine this judgmental behavior more objectively. What made Gen Rawat our Army Chief? He strived at an early age to prepare for the highly competitive National Defence Academy (NDA) written examination and made it close to the top of the merit list. When the likes of Sandeep and other current ‘leaders’ born with a silver spoon joined school or college because of ‘family connections’, he proved himself every day of the week long SSB process that tests a teenager for ‘officer like qualities’.  He made it through each step of psychological tests, physical endurance, team tasks, group discussions, personal interview and stringent medical examination, before being selected. When Sandeep and his ilk sat through not so demanding classes and college examinations, participated in student politics and partied with other ‘leaders children’, Bipin Rawat studied and trained hard for four years, learning and practicing skills to defend India for the ‘honour and welfare of our countrymen’.

At the age of 21, Lt. Bipin Rawat earned his Presidential Commission (no less) after graduating from NDA with a JNU Degree, and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’.  Sandeep graduated and went on to do post-graduation in Rural Management. When young Rawat served in tough terrains and handled various operational responsibilities in areas along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the North-East, Sandeep with some associates, started to ‘manage’ two companies—Bhopal Eco Farms Pvt. Ltd and Sanket Information and Research Agency Pvt. Ltd. Any of you heard of these companies? Unlikely because neither company has actually done any business so far! Meant to undertake work in organic farming and in rural development, he succeeded in doing nothing.   So, he became a politician by default. Sandeep’s only claim to fame is that he is the son of former Delhi CM and grandson of a politician who was close to the Nehru-Gandhi family. And now, he is very famous as the man who insulted a decorated officer and gentleman.

Lt Gen Rawat is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command and National Defence College. He has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations. As part of United Nations Peace Keeping Operations, he commanded a Multinational Brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation while serving with the United Nations. After 36 years of serving the nation, he earned the right to lead our army which is recognized even by the UN as among the most disciplined forces in the world, led by officers of high professional and social ability. The Indian Army is also the most secular force in the world so when politicians go on and on about ‘secular forces’, maybe they should be educated on ethos of the armed forces

Since Sandeep Dikshit hasn’t yet understood the caliber of our officers, he needs to be told in no uncertain terms that no ‘Galli Ka Gunda’ can even dream of being selected for this great force, leave alone become its top leader.  Who the ‘Galli ka Gunda’s’ really  are is clear to each one of us. We have seen them cheat, lie, steal and demand privileges because they are sons of ‘leaders’. And they will stop at nothing to make more money and hang on to power if they can.

Why am I upset about who said what to General Rawat- an officer who I do not know personally? Because, after the kind of life he has led defending us, he has earned our respect. Amidst such uncalled for comments against him, it is necessary to introspect and understand why Indian Army personnel stand out for their professionalism and sacrifice. We, the Indian people, must decide who we want to accept as our leaders based on what qualities and loyalties they have demonstrated.  Today, there are none better than our men in uniform we can look up-to, who stand for true secularism and who project our national image. With elections not very far away, taking the right stand is going to be even more critical. I do not want to see the likes of Sandeep Dikshit at the helm of any decision making.

Jai Hind!