NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search the Internet          Tips

Recent Columns

The cost of      confrontation Trial by the media Unworthy selections Where have the      leaders gone? Reality of War

An untainted force

The Budget session of Parliament is primarily meant to discuss, well, the Budget. It is the only time that various ministries have to face the scrutiny of the lawmakers for what they intend to spend next year. But each year talking about the fiscal appropriations is the last thing on anyone's mind. This year too was no different from the last few years. Gujarat was on everyone's mind and by the time the daily walkouts and adjournments and, finally, the Gujarat debate took place, there was little time to discuss the Budget.

Once again such hefty spenders as the defence and home ministries got away lightly. The Budget was passed by a voice vote after the mildest of discussions. But for a change the lawmakers had got it right. After all, the happenings in Gujarat for the past two months were far more important than the national Budget.

The Budget can only allocate money for the security, sprucing up or expansion of the national house. But what if the house itself is in danger of collapsing because the foundation on which it was built has been shaken. Unfortunately, the people of the country who might have looked at their leaders to enlighten them on the way ahead were thoroughly disappointed at the mediocre and pedestrian discussion that followed.

Like their fellow citizens, members of the armed forces must have watched the parliamentary debate keenly. They might have been equally disappointed to hear their own minister dismissing lightly the rapes and violence as an ancient and everyday affair in India.

There is a general feeling among leaders and politicians that members of the armed forces should not bother their heads too much about politics and events in the country. Many years ago an army chief, General S F Rodrigues was bold enough to state that good governance is also the army's concern. He was hauled up by the defence minister in Parliament.

Roddy was right, of course. After all each member of the services has taken an oath to defend his country and its Constitution. It does matter to him greatly that while he is shedding his blood or laying down his life to defend the Constitution, others may be hijacking it back at home. Today the army is in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation on the border, its jawans braving the heat in the Rajasthan desert and keeping vigil on the frozen wastes of the Siachen plateau. They should certainly be interested if their sacrifices and hard work are for a good purpose.

Ever since Independence the armed forces have become a shining example of communal harmony and national integration. Hindus have fought alongside Muslims and Sikhs alongside Christians. India's first Param Vir Chakra winner after Independence was a Muslim. Many years ago, Jawaharlal Nehru, visiting the Indian Navy, was impressed with the way sailors of different religion, caste and creed lived happily together in a small ship. He likened the naval ship to a microcosm of the country.

The Indian Navy certainly has had a perfect record for communal harmony, which could be the envy of all. In a small ship 300 feet by 50 feet nearly 400 souls of different religions and from all parts of India live happily without rancour or animosity. In a small mess a Hindu sailor may find the bunk above him occupied by a Muslim and the one below by a Sikh. There is common food for everyone served from the same handi.

Among the navy's 15 chiefs so far, three have been Christian and one a Parsi. (Indeed, the very small Parsi community has distinguished itself by providing a chief for each service.) Admiral Jal Cursetji, a Parsi, was followed by two Christians, leading a wag to remark irreverently, "This navy is for Parsis and RCs (Roman Catholics) only. The rest of us are only chaprasis." It was meant in good humour, of course. No one has had a serious complaint of any discrimination on account of his religion or beliefs.

Of course, there is one black mark amidst this story of good communal relations. The British created in the erstwhile Royal Indian Navy a branch called "Topasses". The branch recruited low-caste Hindus whose only job on board ships was the cleaning of bathrooms and latrines. This branch, its recruits and job remain in place to this day. Thirty years ago an enlightened chief attempted to abolish the branch, making the cleaning of latrines a common task as is done in all navies. The reaction nearly led to a mutiny, causing naval headquarters to hastily withdraw the order. No subsequent chief has ever attempted to reintroduce the measure and it remains a blot on the navy's spotless record to this day.

How does the Indian Navy manage to maintain peace and harmony on board its ships? By following some simple rules. It is impressed on every man serving in the navy that religion is a private affair. Any public display of religion or religious celebrations is forbidden. No public display of religious pictures in messes, indeed even in the lockers of sailors, is permitted. Unlike the Royal Navy, no religious services are held on board. The navy has abolished all practices, which have a religious connection.

Before Independence a normal practice was to salute the ship's quarterdeck upon entering it. This was a practice inherited from the Royal Navy, where in the old days a cross would be displayed on the quarterdeck and the sailors paid respect by saluting it. The Indian Navy abolished the practice.

Having maintained harmony and peace within their ranks for half a century, the chiefs of the three services may be a worried lot today. So far the services have been an example to the country. But how long before some of the men fall prey to extremist views?

Judging from the tone of the many letters written by senior ex-servicemen to the media after the Gujarat violence, it is certain that a large extremist element resides within the services, dormant but capable of surfacing if the situation warrants. They may keep their views in check for the present, but for how long?

As Nehru rightly stated, the nation's armed forces are a microcosm of the country. All the character traits and evils, which reside in the country, eventually find their way into the services. Great vigil is necessary to ensure that the services retain their secular makeup and outlook.

The nation can look up to its armed force as a shining example of communal harmony. But it is also the job of the people and their government to make certain that it always remains so.

Admiral (retd) J G Nadkarni