It takes long to build military traditions

The non-nomination of a Chief of Defence Staff for almost 10 months suggests an intentional delay in uniting the forces under one head. It is difficult to believe that the government has been unable to find a suitable replacement. The reason is that the government seems now to want a division of services rather than integration under a CDS.

- HARSHA KAKAR

I had written a month ago, when force reduction was announced, that the forces should expect additional policy amendments from the government. Agnipath was the first, manpower reduction second, shifting army and air force day parades from Delhi the third while the latest is discarding historical ties, customs and traditions. Agnipath was based on the premise that finances dominate national security, other issues, including training, experience and regimental spirit being tertiary. The forces were compelled to toe the line and senior officers directed to sell the scheme across all platforms. If Agnipath was truly a gamechanger, then there would have been no requirement for theatrics.

Manpower reduction was bulldozed by not recruiting for two years on the pretext of Covid and subsequently recruiting fewer numbers than retirees each year. The forces are compelled to rejuggle structures to manage manpower. Moving army and air force day parades away from Delhi was done on the pretext of wider viewership. The Delhi army day parade is a dress rehearsal for the Republic Day. Moving it away implies additional expenditure, funds which could well be utilized in a more constructive manner.

Agnipath and the latest directions on Indianisation are jointly aimed at breaking the regimentation system of the army. The impact from Agnipath would be visible in a decade or so as numbers currently joining battalions are low, while Indianisation, under the pretext of freeing Indian forces from the 'shackles of colonialism' will ensure that all bonds with regimental history and traditions are terminated.