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Dear Journos, Kindly Spare a Serving Soldier from Giving Bites

Soldiers are duty-bound to thenation, and those serving should be spared by bite-chasers, writes Suresh Bangara.

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For well over two centuries, the topic of civil-military relations has been found to be an evolving process. This process is also contingent upon the ideologies followed by the political leadership of a country. The German and Japanese experience in the early 19th century prompted experts to classify them as “militaristic” nations. Military men assuming political roles, attempts to exercise civilian control over the military and the Nazi experience of unheeded military warnings that led to catastrophic results, have all been well- documented.

The profession of the military is “management/containment of violence.” Consequently the primary function of the military is successful armed combat. This being a highly complex and technology-intensive activity, the entire process of selection, training and career progression is very unique to the military. Hence the military profession is considered quite valuable, if not more than other top professions. 

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Soldiers are duty-bound to thenation, and those serving  should be spared by bite-chasers, writes Suresh Bangara.
Akhlaq’s son, Sartaj, speaking to the media. (Photo courtesy: ANI)

Coercion by Camera

Since management of violence can and must only be practised for socially approved purposes, the State would necessarily have to enjoy total monopoly over the military profession. Thus the relation between the State and the military assumes a sacred dimension.

Such a powerful tool in the hands of any government can only be used if regulations, customs and traditions are strictly followed. There is no scope for irreverence or interpretation of military orders. The soldier on entry surrenders some of his rights, such as free speech, foreign travel, and unauthorised association with the media. He signs a virtual agreement to lay down his life when required. No other profession is required to do so.

It is in this context that the recent efforts made by the media to coerce a serving soldier (a generic term used for navy and air force personnel too) to appear before a camera becomes an irresponsible act. Mohammed Sartaj, the son of Dadri lynching victim Mohammed Akhlaq and a Corporal in the Indian Air Force, was made to speak to the media regarding his father’s death. In the case in point, a highly traumatised soldier was asked to comment on the political and social dimensions of a personal tragedy. This is not synonymous with an act of bravery or yeoman service rendered during natural calamities, when a mike is thrust at the face of a soldier.

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Snapshot

Digressing from Objectivity?

  • Primary role of the military is “management/containment of violence”
  • A soldier on entry surrenders some of his constitutional rights
  • Recent efforts by the media to coerce a serving soldier to appear before a camera is irresponsible 
  • Imagine the damage that could have resulted had the highly traumatised soldier given vent to his distress
  • Men in uniform who appear on media without approval, are subject to rules and regulations in this regard
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Irresponsible Journalism

Any responsible journalist knows that there are clear orders prohibiting serving soldiers from expressing their political opinions as the military is required to be loyal to the elected government of the day irrespective of its ideology. Worldwide, discussions on politics is discouraged in the militaries of democratically-elected governments. They are required to remain apolitical until they shed their uniforms. This does not prevent a soldier from exercising his franchise in favour of individuals of his choice.

In the event, the soldier in question displayed maturity and grace well beyond his age. His statements reflected the discipline and patriotic fervour of military minds, which are focused on combat duties and service to the nation. If his message was directed both to the journalists and politicians, they did not seem to apply to either, much like the water on the duck’s back.

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Spare the Military

For a moment imagine the damage that could have resulted had the highly traumatised soldier given vent to his distress. He would have accentuated communal tensions not only in his village but much further beyond. The Indian Military, known to be apolitical and secular, would perhaps have also been pushed to take damage-control measures to retain equanimity in the face of provocative and irresponsible behaviour of lumpen elements of our civil society.

Soldiers are duty-bound to thenation, and those serving  should be spared by bite-chasers, writes Suresh Bangara.
Having experienced anchors and some research staff do not make the news channel newsworthy (Photo: iStock)

To the TRP driven 24*7 news channels which conduct shouting matches without fail, it has to be said – in a nation filled with impatient and partially informed audience, having experienced anchors and some research staff who produce immaculate records of who said what and when do not make the channel newsworthy or instructive.

If mere possession of information is knowledge and wisdom is not even a peripheral desired objective, kindly spare the military, which has a clear cut role to perform against many odds. Also note that men in uniform who appear on media without approval are subject to rules and regulations specific to this theme. Failure to act upon such indiscretion may be taken as a precedence for future violation.

An indisciplined military is as good as not having one.

(The writer is a former Commander-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command)

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Topics:  Military   TRP 

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