MILITARY RULE…. A CONSTANT DANGER TO

                                            DEMOCRACIES

                 Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

 Armed forces in any country have the sacred role of defending the country from external aggression and protect the constitution. They also help in maintaining internal order by helping the government when need arises. At times they have to wage preventive war for defending the country. Armed forces also help the government by taking part in relief operations incase of natural calamities, such as floods, earthquakes, Tsunami and floods. The question is why such armed forces with noble aims betray the confidence of people and resort to coup de tat. Countries like Pakistan although democratic states suffered continuous military rule over long durations. African nations too suffer from this evil. Islamic countries mainly suffer from this evil because religion and politics can not be separated in these countries. The rule is invariably authoritarian that could be dictatorship, monarchy or rule by a military junta. Turkey is an exception in Islamic world.In India, the President is the commander in chief of the armed forces and he does not wear uniform. The three wings of Indian armed forces at the time of gaining independence were under the command of Commander in Chief. The first Indian Commander in Chief was General (Later Field Marshal) Cariappa who took over from the British C in C General Roy Butcher. Air force and Navy Chiefs were one step down (Rank of Lt Generals) and were under the command of General Cariappa. The protocol level of the C in C was next only to the Prime Minister. As time passed and euphoria of independence vanished, the importance of Armed forces reduced day by day and there has been great down fall in their status.The General stands at the end of a long line of poltical leaders and civil servents. General Thimmayya was the next famous General in the fifties and he had to submit resignation owing to differences with the then Defense minister V K Krishna menon and this episode is world famous and is a sore point in the Indian post independence history. This also resulted in debacle in Chinese war of 1962.General Thimmayya was much feared and even there was a speculation that a coup was around the corner. It sent shivers down the spine of Indian leaders. The three defense force Chiefs were made of equal status and the post of commander in Chief was abolished and each chief became independent so that they could grapple at each others throat.. This was done by Nehru government infact to prevent any likely coup by the forces. It took decades to allow a chief of Defense staff who infact is a co coordinator between all the services and does not command all the three wings. The senior most officers of the three wings become the Chief of Defense staff without powers. It is rather a ceremonial post. This is mostly to keep service chiefs in good humor than to do any good. A post with no commanding powers is no post in services..Although the status of chiefs of all three services is same, Army chief is the most important one and that matters. In case of a coup others have to fall in line and there is no way. In democracy, troops are confined to the barracks and are in the rear seat while civilian representatives of people duly elected remain in the driving seat all the time even if they are corrupt, inefficient, lack luster, ignorant and lack administrative capabilities. Armed forces have nothing to play in politics of the country in a democracy although many probably inwardly are itching to do so after watching the civilian misrule for the last 60 years. Army courts are under the jurisdiction of highest courts in India. The cantonments are located far away from the civilian areas to avoid contact with civilians and maintain secrecy. The government expects the forces to be away from the civilian influences. However with growth of cities, these cantonments have now been surrounded by the civilian colonies and business shops and this is the usual phenomena in most of the cities.The training activities of officers and soldiers are carried out without any political influences and interaction. Indian Military officers undergo training purely on western methods and the academies are formed on those at Sadhurst and West point in USA although the Englishmen have left Indians to their fate to struggle and suffer at the hands of corrupt and inefficient political leaders. In civilian society although military personnel have some concessions, these are pathetically negligible. It is an open fact with passing of time, the status of service officers in civil society has been down graded rather degraded. They do not enjoy the same status and respect which Indian Administrative officers and Indian Police officers do. The promotion prospects in the services are very poor and even after donkey years of thankless service, the officers and men are deprived of promotions due to whims and fancies and this is a burning and bitter fact of life to many. The service men serve at remote areas, are separated from families and are transferred frequently and children’s education suffers severely. These transfers become nightmare as the service increases and the professional education of the children suffers greatly. They silently suffer the perils only to retire and fade away unsung and unheard.Downgradation of service personnel in civilian society is nothing new. This is very common in democracies. There is a famous saying in India that Mother is remembered in pain and soldier is remembered in war. This also has resulted in rise of tensions among service personnel and there were clashes between Army and police personnel in Amritsar, Agra, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. Army personnel bashed police men black and blue at these places. Most of such incidents are not given high publicity in the news papers. The unhappiness at times surfaces in the form of these flare ups. In democracies, civilian authorities have upper hand. The responsibilities of army establishments are different. However the fact that service personnel also being Indian citizens is forgotten in the civilian administration most of the times. Probably many consider them as unwanted elements if not parsites.They are pushed from pillar to post. The soldiers have to interact with many civilian agencies for many activities as a citizen and are put to great inconvenience and harassement and the rampant corruption, red tapes, arrogance by the civil officials and inordinate delay in civilian administration is the sole burning point.Another important factor is copying of army uniform by Para military civil forces in India. Every Tom Dick and Harry wears army fatigues in India. Even IPS officers wear army fatigues (camouflage cloth) at their training academy at Hyderabad. God only knows when they are going to fight enemy in such fatigues. Once they are out of the academy mostly their life is spent in air-conditioned offices barring very few who are posted in extremist areas ( How many ?). The rank badges of police officers resemble army badges although they are of silver color compared to golden yellow army rank badges. This has been a matter of great discussion in the past and there is a great unhappiness owing to this fact. Some time ago, the peak cap of a head constable in the police forces of Andhra Pradesh exactly resembled that of a colonel of Indian Army. These constables chewing Beatle nut and at times smoking and standing on one leg leaning on the lathi with a tilted cap donning the head at roadside is a common sight in India. This was considered offensive by Army and the police department changed the cap of the head constable. It is still a mystery whether this was done wantedly or it was a slip up. Some years ago, the cap of colonels displayed the state emblem of three lions (One behind not seen). All of a sudden the government changed the dress code and ordered that all colonels would wear regimental badge on their caps and belt. None knows about these badges outside the army. This was probably done as the officers of the rank of colonels were made battalion commanders replacing Lt Colonels. This was a step down gradation of colonels. But nothing could be done. The colonels sucked thumbs, pulled their hair in disgust if something was left by chance and cried in silence in deep anguish and despair. However the greatest damage was already done to the structure of army by that time. Many in hush hush said they would ask for premature retirement. But none had guts to be out of safe government service with many perks like house, free ration, air travel, salary by time and face hard realities in civil life. They settled down for continued humiliation and mockery as a degraded rank devoid of prestigious lions on their caps. As it is the lions have already been defanged by decades of  Gandhism.Some time ago, the soldier was worshipped in India. Army service was considered as god’s gift to serve the nation by bearing arms for the country. But now things have changed. Service in defense forces is now seen as one of the usual means of livelihood. Bright youngsters are now looking other way from the services and youth are flocking to industrial sectors, corporate houses and commercial establishments. Services are the last priority at any cost. The prestige of defense forces received severe jolt in the struggle between civil servants and Defense officers. Inspite of all these bickerings and down gradation, the services are thankfully loyal to the constitution and are keeping out of shitty politics in India. Infact politics in services are taboo and not permitted. A soldier can not express his political opinion openly and hides within himself and rots within day by day. He may vote in elections and that too very few would. The saddest part is that his vote in absence mostly is already put in a ballot box by a cheat waiting at the booth. In spite of the type of party that is in power services are loyal to them inspite of burning within.In Pakistan that is next door, Military rules are regular affair after General Ayub Khan usurped power in 1957 for the first time. Even if elections were held thereArmy was the supreme authority. Pakistan army is fully politicized. Being a small country, coup was easier. Similarly Bangladesh being tiny nation, military coup was easy. Islamic states fall prey to military coups as religion and politics travel hand in glove. Services have to be always away from politics in democracies. Otherwise trouble is sure to arise. Coups take place on certain occasions. These are severe political crisis, extreme degradation of political leadership, severe corruption and un ethical governing by civilian leadership, Loss of all values in civilian life, Severe down gradation and insult to the services by the civil authorities and these are some of the instances where military coups invariably take place. After the coups, the senior most military officer takes over the authority and at times a Junta takes control of the nation. Fundamental rights are scrapped. Press is curbed. Constitution is abrogated or scrapped. The country is divided into zones and is under the control of a military governor. All senior civil servants who were on front benches would be now in back benches. Army becomes supreme. Entire police forces come under the command of army. Marshal Law takes over for duration. The existing civil administration continues, but it is controlled by army leadership. Military coup is always a threat in countries where democracy is restored after some time. Civilian officers in such countries try to maintain good relation with service officers even after restoration of democracy. They fear reversal at any time. There is also an argument that military coups also take place at the instance of foreign powers to change the government. USA and former USSR face such accusations.In India, situation is slightly different. All the service chiefs are of equal rank and these officers invariably are reportedly zealous of each other. Unity is extremely difficult among them. Yet coup can be executed only by Army. Air force and Navy can only watch and toe the line.There is no doubt that inter service rivalry is rampant. The equipment such as Tanks, vehicles, armored cars, and artillery that are required for executing coup is always with Army. Therefore democratic governments are invariably worried over army and its leadership. Once upon a time, it was believed that Central Para military forces such as Central reserve police and Borders security forces that come under Home ministry would be able to counter army in grave situation. However this is only a fallacy and these forces are no match to army. This is some thing like Torsier phillipine primate jumping in front of a guerilla. There have been revolts by CRPF units and Army had to disarm them. There is no force in the country that can challenge army. It can not be defeated by any force. This is the real truth.Indian army officers are completely brought up in western culture and continue to do so. Regimental dinner nights are conducted in British style even today and they drink toast to the health of the President. Formerly they used to propose toast to the queen or king of England. They used to drink wine in the glasses while proposing toast. But now they drink water because it is a Gandhian land. Wine is a Taboo. The Englishmen have left Indians to their fate and were greatly relieved having got rid off India. They heaved a sigh of relief. But Indians are still hanging to their tails in the form of regimental traditions. Thus Indian democracy is comparatively safe from coups as Indian army’s officers are British bred and have strong loyalty to the President as on today. Invariably the officers are capitalist oriented and bourgeoisie in nature. They are addicted to five star cultures and averse to other political philosophies such as communist ideology. They are worried and run after the decorations and service distinguished awards that are distributed on the republic day parade every year. The armed forces are averse to the coup as the country is too big to govern and none wants to buy headaches. The officers probably also lack the qualities that Pak officers possess which lead to coups in that country. It is great blessing in disguise that these officers are away from politics. It is a great boon to Indian leaders. This may be considered as the loyalty and devotion in other way.. Except few democratic countries, most of the third world countries have witnessed military coups. Invariably military governments either follow mixed economy, or capitalistic economy or communist philosophy. Pakistan has banned Communism and Bangladesh has not fallen to communists. The services which are western oriented would always prefer capitalistic society and would not fall for communism. It is very unlikely. Of course under military rule in the initial days, one can expect some reduction in corruption and mischief. But as the time goes, the new government too equally becomes corrupt and it would be old wine in new bottle. One can not expect that corruption would disappear in military rule. The same people who were there earlier in government at lower level would remain. No country has prospered under military rule. Pakistan and Bangladesh and many African nations are examples. One after the other, dictators would rule. It is like a tiger that has tasted human blood. It will seek kill again and again. Therefore it is essential that the civilian leadership should avoid such situations that would cause revolt by army leading to coups. A civilian government can not stop a coup if army is determined. Best way to rule with distinction as per constitution. In all democracies, military coups are always lurking around the corner and its shadow follows. It must be remembered that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose established Indian National Army from the captured soldiers in Japan. Naval ratings revolted before independence was granted to India. The clashes between army and police are occurring occasionally and unhappiness is surfacing. These are all indications of unhappiness that could cause serious trouble. In every state yearly once an army and civilian co ordination conference is held. The issues discussed are not known outside and there is a general feeling that these meetings are mere eyewash. It is known that certain concessions given to army were seriously affected by the local government policies. Sale of liquor to ex service men is an example. The Government is collecting special tax over the liquor. Thus there is hardly any concessional rate for the service men in Andhra Pradesh. This has caused great heart burning among the soldiers. In recent times ex service men demonstrated over certain issues in Hyderabad and they were lathi charged. The incident is a shameful one indeed. The concept of treating soldiers as useless lot in the society and as mere sacrificial goats should change. It must be remembered that soldier’s duty is the most pious one and it can not be compared to any other profession. They are eligible for due respect and high honor. When such attitude prevails in society and civilian government relations with services would always be cordial. This is the most important reason for stability in Western nations like France, England, USA and other countries. This fact must be remembered by all democracies and India is no exception.