Even after seventy years, the government continues to keep the military at arm&’s length, ensuring it has no role in strategic decision-making, nor grants it representation on committees like the pay commission or follow up committees. The government action on lowering its status in the Seventh Pay Commission, compelled the military leadership to battle its downgrade alone, mindful that if it did not do so it would be a fait accompli for eternity.

The military top brass is aware of the growing discontent within and knows that it is not salary but equality of status which is essential. Hence the latest pay commission report was rejected. The government action comes in the midst of the Kashmir crisis, where the army remains a key player. The threat of a strike by government employees recently was immediately addressed with increased bonus, but octogenarian veterans fasting and protesting for months for their genuine and approved OROP, were ignored, maltreated and pushed around. The question arises – why are issues concerning the military ignored? Is it because they play no role in the political and decision-making process?

The military is the second largest employer in the country, after the railways. Its role and tasks ensure development of the nation, by providing security from external aggression and dealing with dangerous internal threats, as also being the first responders in any internal disaster and in many cases rushing in to bring peace, after faulty policies and actions have led to riots and disorders.

The Prime Minister has even stated, “I want to tell those who divide the nation in the name of secularism, to see real secularism, see the army. We can learn the true essence of secularism from our armed forces.” Yet its concerns are ignored.

It has been systematically sidelined and reduced in status since independence. Immediately after independence, there was a clash in attitudes. Politicians considered the military a legacy of the colonial era, as also the force employed to curb the freedom struggle, while the military held politicians in disdain.

To subdue the military, the post of the Commander-in-Chief was abolished and independent service chiefs appointed. The service headquarters was kept away from the seat of power, termed as attached offices of the government, hence could not be involved in decision-making. Promises made were broken at every stage, which the military accepted quietly and with the minimum of murmuring. In the present era of increasing impact of social media, discontentment has begun to rise. Hence the top brass has to battle on, regardless of government apathy.

A major reason for the military being taken for granted has been its unquestioned loyalty. It has never turned away from an assigned task, whether it be dealing with militancy, floods, internal disorders or building bridges for the world culture festival. It has never let the nation or the political leadership down, irrespective of the challenges or cost to life. As a corollary to this, every government promises to ensure capabilities will be provided; however they remain promises on paper. Even basic essentials like bullet-proof jackets and combat boots remain in short supply, yet the military&’s performance remains unaffected. This unquestioning attitude of the military is taken for granted and when it comes to being given their due, they are neglected.

The military itself is also responsible. The removal of the military representative from the Third Pay Commission in 1973, after the resounding 1971 victory, should have been red-flagged and objections raised. However silence only emboldened those in power to continue the subjugation. Every downgrade was accepted without a murmur, the same was expected this time too. The present raising of anomalies directly to the Prime Minister is possibly the most desperate resort to control growing dissent.

South Asia, except India, has had the military dominating national politics. Pakistan has been ruled by the military and it still does so from the backseat. In Bangladesh the military still dominates internal politics. Myanmar has had a military junta for decades and even today refuses to let go. Rumours of a coup in India have existed from the 1950s until recently. The Indian polity has always been wary of such an action, hence felt that keeping the military away and reduced in status would save the nation from coup attempts. Indian military ethos on the other hand believes in avoiding political discussions and domination is not even dreamt of.

If this is the situation, are there any options? At the serving level, silence and non-questioning of government directions should continue to remain as the bedrock of military ethos and discipline. The age-old traditions of the military should never change. For those at the helm of affairs, the true facts on impact on morale as also trust and faith in the national leadership should be projected as detrimental to the nation.

Acceptance of vague promises by the government, given after every pay commission should be rejected, as they remain promises on paper. For once, a strong stand is essential. The manner and method of projection should reinforce faith of those whom the top brass commands, rather than political leaders whom they serve.

Simultaneously, it is the veterans’ community that should raise its voice on behalf of those serving. The retired chiefs wrote to the Prime Minister on the impact of the negative status given by the pay commission, however there was no acknowledgement nor response. The veterans’ community, through its leagues, should consider forming its own political party for the forthcoming Punjab and UP elections. It would offset calculations of all established parties by the sheer number of veterans and serving members along with families in the affected states. The modalities need deliberation and contemplation, but it is feasible. Any government reacts only when politically threatened, hence such an action would convey the message that enough is enough. It could compel a sleeping government to change its attitude and stop taking the military for granted.

The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.