The defence forces have been apolitical since raising of
the Indian Defence Forces in the present context. Religion, money
making, politics wee some of the issues which were strictly forbidden
for discussion amongst the uniformed fraternity. This was basically
because this was the most powerful tool of the colonial masters to
ensure fear of the Queen amongst the masses. Other taboos are in the
process of dismantling albeit slowly but surely the fraternity is
gradually in tune with the national aspiration. In fact credit must
be given to the Defence Forces for changing the image from tool of
government for use amongst the masses to perhaps the most confidence
aspiring organisation of the Nation.
Till date there was a system of postal ballot, where
one caste his vote and sent it to his place of posting and there was
little collective discussion. With the new proviso, a soldier can
vote at his place of posting if he has been there since Jan this year
for Apr 14 parliamentary elections
The military leadership faces a huge challenge of
transformation with the new diktat.
With military stations and cantonments having large
eligible populace of voters, political parties would and should be
interested in getting these people on board. The challenge for
political leadership would be how do they get the soldier on board
because the local station/place issues may be of hardly any
consequence to the soldier. Soldier is cocooned from the local
turbulence because of his cant life, what would be his concern,
logic, motivation to choose a candidate.
Should he follow the US Presidential system where one
votes for the policies as spelled out by the Prez and explained
through media and other sources or work out a different methodology.
Out there massive rallies akin to India where millions attend are
irrelevant and do not take place.
Voting by locals follows diktats of religious
heads/local Mafia or the perception based on the past experience.
Cyber means have very little influence amongst huge chunks of
populace who do not access/understand larger national issues- for
them Roti, kapda, makan and security are the predominant rationale
for choosing candidates. With uniformed community which is reasonably
well informed/cares for larger issues, will this pose a dilemma?
Probably yes.
Should the defence forces permit rallies for its
soldiers by various parties to enable making informed choices? This
would be precedent setting but perhaps a workable option. Political
parties are likely to include cantt improvements and may force them
to stay away from issues of caste, religion and force development
agenda. Should this happen, then this would be great for the nation
and defence forces would had major positive ramifications on the
approach to elections by the political parties. In fact in due course
it may narrow the gap between the desirability and do abilty and put
the democracy on a stronger footing. Mafia/criminals/tainted
candidates may have to give way to better candidates.
Will this exposure hammer the foundation of the force?
The initial feel would be yes but detailed analysis and past
experience may indicate positive response with caution. JP's
movement of mid 70s; insurgencies in Panjab, Bengal, Tamil Nadu and
ongoing LWE in Central India has had repercussions, some went beyond
control but most were successfully. managed by the fraternity. Will
this Mandalise? There were certain major challenges in some regiments
during Mandal agitation because of cascading ramifications impacting
the caste/groups back home (forces were not impacted) and this needed
management by leadership. The new opportunity too will need to be
debated and manges lest it has adverse ramifications.
The defence fraternity will need to decide as to how to
mange the new challenge better for forcing the political parties to
address the genuine sulks of the soldier and the forces at macro and
micro level. However since men in uniform can not issue a whip for
voting to a party/candidate, it may be desirable for a middle path.
Using the Exsevicemen as the interface between the serving/retired
soldiers and political parties to MOU/ agenda regarding forces wish
list. Till now the babudom of the country have created a wall of
distrust between the political decision makers and Services Chiefs.
The tool that has been frequently been used is by invoking the boggy
of coup de tat amongst the politicians- Gen VK and Anthony tiff was
given a similar colour. Committees on pay commission anomalies and
restructuring of Defence Ministry have been stonewalled by the babus.
Large number of petitions by MOD against exservicemen are filed by
MOD to deny/delay the emoluments. Some of these and many more issues
are harming the defence forces which can hopefully be addressed now.
The right given by the Supreme Court has great
potential to make a difference at all levels provided the forces can
strategise their plan well and intelligently though its not their
forte.
