The General Court Martial Prakash and its impact

The Indian army has a checkered history. Raised by the British, it served as an appendage of the Raj with distinction. It also covers itself with glory during the two world wars and earlier in the wars against the Afghans on the Frontier.

India and Pakistan after the resignation of the British inherited a first-class fighting machine. Unfortunately army are both countries the opportunity to go to seed. In Pakistan Army forgot its fundamental objective of combatingWar lost and more and more entangled in politics and running the nation. Thus the cutting of the army was lost, since Kargil, is evidenced by the many failures on the battlefield, Kashmir, Bangladesh and now in its fight against militant Islamists.

In India, the army was allowed to provide seed as the political leadership had little understanding of what power is or armed. Thus, a series of civilian defense minister to appreciate the concerns ofArmy Division and it was to treat more and more like a civilian.

In this background, the recent decision to court martial Prakash, who has retired as General Military Secretary to the President studies must be reconsidered. Gen Prakash allegedly issued no objection certificate for Siliguri.This have a fixed area on Bengdubi in North Bengal is near the headquarters of the Army Corps that China faces. The NOC to establish an educational institution is claimedtoo irregular and contrary to the rules army.

The present army chief, Gen. VK Singh, when he was in command of the GOC-in-C East had recommended disciplinary action against General Prakash, after the court of inquiry was submitted to approval in order for him. The Defence Minister AK Antony, a civilian political leader from Kerala agreed with no military back ground with the VK Singh and set the wheel in motion in order to pursue Gen Prakash.

For my part I hold no brief forGen Prakash but I am of course concerned with the effect of these on the court-martial in the ranks of the infantry with a view of the enemy in the west and the north. What impact has the sub-martial have on the psyche of the soldiers in the zero-temp and inhospitable terrain? Is there a good chance that the common infantryman is wagering his deeply hurt that the top brass of the army is corrupt and he lives for some commanders who are likely not to be leaders. This couldhave a serious impact on morale.

The Defence Minister should not have allowed this to happen. The matter is too serious, and should have been dealt with in other ways without any publicity. VK Singh, the army chief justice done by the Indian Army a tremendous DIS-service by trying to show that in shining armor. It must be recalled leading troops is not like an authority position. One wonders what was hoped to reach General VK Singh.