LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The debate, ‘Selection of Army Chief’ has evoked a large number of responses. Some of the comments received from our readers are placed below.
—Editor
Dear Sir,
The debate in Point-Counterpoint, ‘Making of a Chief’ was very informative and throws light on many aspects not known to ordinary common citizens.
—Prasad Kumbhojkar
Dear Sir,
Thanks for impartial views. I hope the Govt. is serious for appointing a CDS in similar appropriate spirit. Let us see a more potent and complementary joint
system in the forces.
—Col Ravi Krishan
Dear Sir,
This is the most balanced view I have ever seen on this issue. Thanks for thisinformative piece.
—Manish Sharma
Dear Sir,
Your view on the matter is as balanced and plausible, as ever. I personally have no particular view on the matter, but on the whole, I think that choosing chief in this manner, superceding other officers, should have a solid reason and not merely the comfort zone for PM or RM. How can the PM choose between Gen. Rawat and Gen. Bakshi, both of whom are equally competent officers? This is just a convenient reason. As for the formers better knowledge in CI, as Gen. Panag pointed out in his blog too, what happens if the war breaks out in the plains of Punjab or in the desert sector, to start with? Also, this kind of supercession sets a bad precedent for the future political class. In the great Indian political tamasha, you can land up in any situation and these appointments can become prized political take aways. So, in long run, may not be a great idea.
—Col Mohan Sharma
Dear Sir,
Well said. Once selection is made the matter should not be discussed.
—Col Kanwaljit Singh Sandhu
Dear Sir,
Good detailed write up which has balanced view giving due weightage to the relevant aspects

—Prasad Kumbhojkar
Dear Sir,
To a large extent, babus of MOD, at the behest of retired babus, service flag ranks, arms dalals and permanent establishment of Delhi durbar sitting in Delhi Gymkhana Club, India International Centre and other colonial watering holes, with dubious politicians, and some from the media, influence all promotions of IAS/IPS and Armed Forces flag rank officers. Political dalals can be seen in the corridors of Delhi and Central Govt. offices, including service HQ and MOD. It appears there is a fixed rate for civil, police and para military appointments and it appears now, that the armed forces- the last bastion, is slowly crumbling.

—Ashok Carrol
Dear Sir,
This is a major policy matter; it cannot be left at the whims and fancies of the govt. of the day. Since last three decades, the seniority formula for the COAS was followed as is being done for the appointment of CJI. We have no problem if all the political parties can come to a consensus on the issue whichever way they agree to.There are very obvious pitfalls if the discretion is exercised by the govt. of the day.The matter could be debated in closed doors and the nation told accordingly. Personally, I am of the view that just going by the order of merit of the IMA for deciding the seniority at the level of corps commanders and above needs to be changed after a detailed deliberation wherein seniority amongst the coursemates is revised periodically by the MS branch based on the new policy to be evolved by them.

—Col Pamal Kumar Popli
Dear Sir,
This is a major policy matter; it cannot be left at the whims and fancies of the govt. of the day. Since last three decades, the seniority formula for the COAS was followed as is being done for the appointment of CJI. We have no problem if all the political parties can come to a consensus on the issue whichever way they agree to.There are very obvious pitfalls if the discretion is exercised by the govt. of the day.The matter could be debated in closed doors and the nation told accordingly. Personally, I am of the view that just going by the order of merit of the IMA for deciding the seniority at the level of corps commanders and above needs to be changed after a detailed deliberation wherein seniority amongst the coursemates is revised periodically by the MS branch based on the new policy to be evolved by them.

—Col Pamal Kumar Popli
Dear Sir,
The politicians and babus are giving an angle of intra service rivalry, between the infantry and the mechanised forces which is unwarranted. The excuse trotted out that some officers have more experience than others is factually incorrect. A moot question that should be asked is, what military knowledge do politicians have to enable them to judge security issues and real threats. It is difficult to believe that a person heading Eastern Command, lacks operational knowledge to counter insurgency! The following merits attention:

• Superceding officers who have a proven professional record has a very negative effect.

• If the selection process can be tinkered with by the politicalbureaucratic nexus, it could well lead to a whole lot of yes men being promoted to higher ranks.
• The governments decision and its justification indicates a belief that the Kashmir issue is of greater relevance than the Eastern theatre. The enemy has thus succeeded in making us shift our goal post from the real strategic threat.

—Rustom Jamasji
Dear Sir,
The politicians and babus are giving an angle of intra service rivalry, between the infantry and the mechanised forces which is unwarranted. The excuse trotted out that some officers have more experience than others is factually incorrect. A moot question that should be asked is, what military knowledge do politicians have to enable them to judge security issues and real threats. It is difficult to believe that a person heading Eastern Command, lacks operational knowledge to counter insurgency! The following merits attention:

• Superceding officers who have a proven professional record has a very negative effect.

• If the selection process can be tinkered with by the politicalbureaucratic nexus, it could well lead to a whole lot of yes men being promoted to higher ranks.
• The governments decision and its justification indicates a belief that the Kashmir issue is of greater relevance than the Eastern theatre. The enemy has thus succeeded in making us shift our goal post from the real strategic threat.

—Rustom Jamasji