The Indian Army is one of the largest in the world. It is indeed one of the best too. In fact, so brilliant are we that Dick Shelby, the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on intelligence, called it a “colossal failure” on the CIA’s part when India set off three nuclear explosions in Pokhran one after the other – the CIA had no clue what on earth was happening.
General vs Captain
The Commander-in-Chief wields immense power and commands respect in accomplished military fraternities around the world.
Be it Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar or Sun Tzu – throughout history, men have looked up to great military leaders for strength in difficult times. The Indian military’s code of conduct is exemplary.
This is why it came as a huge surprise to all of us when General (retd) JJ Singh was caught using vulgar, uncouth, and abusive language in a video which went viral. We pride ourselves in being the world’s largest democracy and everyone is entitled (including former Generals and Governors unfortunately) to contest elections – but for a former General of the Indian Army to use such language is appalling.
Gen JJ Singh is the Akali Dal’s candidate from Patiala, who would be contesting against Capt Amarinder Singh of the Congress party.
Then came General Singh’s baseless attack, calling Capt Amarinder Singh an inexperienced politician. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and resigned in protest of Operation Blue Star. He served as the Chief Minister of Punjab. More recently, he defeated a BJP stalwart from Amritsar.
If this wasn’t enough, General Singh called Capt Amarinder Singh a deserter – which is a grave allegation. Let the best man win in Patiala but the truth must prevail.
I am a keen reader and military history fascinates me. Capt Amarinder Singh joined the National Defence Academy in 1959. A distinguished cadet, he captained the riding and polo team there. Capt Amarinder Singh was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1963 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, the Sikh Regiment – a battalion in which his father and grandfather had served with distinction before him.
After his father Maharaja Yadavindra Singh was appointed as Ambassador to Italy, Capt Amarinder Singh’s presence was needed back home. He decided to resign in early 1965 and returned to Patiala. However, the truth remains that he went back and re-enlisted himself in the army when the 1965 war broke out with Pakistan – despite strong opposition from his family.
Electoral candidates are always out to attack and defame each other. Whatever they can dig up on their opponent serves as ammunition for mudslinging. However, it isn’t acceptable for a former General of Indian Army to label an honest soldier as a deserter. “Mine honour is my life: both grow in one. Take honour from me, and my life is done!”
( The author is an expert in International Law. This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)
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