By Ali Ahmed
The Indian Military Academy’s (IMA) hallowed Chetwode Hall is home to the portraits of all army chiefs and commandants, each with their respective names inscribed in Hindi. The touching pursuit of the Hindi cause is, in truth, a sign of political control over the military. Or, it would be, if the military were not already more loyal than the king. What earlier was the domain of the paramilitary forces, falling over themselves to show their worthiness on this score, now afflicts the army as well.
This is happening alongside the complementary Hinduisation agenda, addressed most recently by a prominent military-watcher, who warns of the severe consequences of continuing in this way. He wrote, “The concern is not religion itself. The concern is the perception that the military institution may be identifying itself with particular religious narratives at a time when religion has become deeply intertwined with political discourse.”
The Indian armed forces have enjoyed extraordinary public trust precisely because they have historically remained secular, apolitical and professionally detached from political contestation. This reputation is a national asset. Its dilution has horrendous ramifications for the military of a multi-religious, multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual nation, he wrote.
The general lets the brass hats off the hook, assuming that such a “dilution” in values may be for “perceived personal gains”. The temple visits of General Dwivedi show a conscious lending of an epauleted shoulder to the national reset. It is moot whether this was for personal gains, now that he departs into the sunset. Precedent set, his successor cannot but be expected to conform.
However, what if brass hats are instead driven by a sense of their mandate, handed to them tacitly by the regime? What if the military leadership believes that the way to go for the militaryis to keep step with the pronounced and unmistakable turn in the social and political spheres?
Two perspectives of the nation – multi-religious, multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual nation versus one propelled by and driven to Hindutva thinking which emphasises uniformity – are in contention. Even if the latter is not a full-fledged reality, it is not quite illusory either.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
