Armed forces and democracy

MILITARISM IN INDIA: Dr. Apurba Kundu; Viva Books Pvt. Ltd., 4325/3, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002. Rs. 295.

THIS BOOK is a pioneering research work relating to the sensitive civil-military relationship especially on the issue of the ``coup'' factor which till date has never been exihibited by the Armed Forces in India. It has particularly drawn on the history of Pakistan's Armed Forces holding dictatorship for long spells under Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zia-Ul-Haq, which had caused a tremendous blow to the democratic set-up of the neighbouring country. The book has been based on extensive sample questionnaires sent to over 100 senior Indian Armed Forces officials.

After having examined the instruments, the author has summarised their views and brought out a book that details and analyses their opinion on issues relating to the attitude of the military men towards the political leadership and bureaucracy. The book has drawn valid inferences from the questionnaires and linked them with the background of the officers, their education, cultural upbringing and training inputs.

It has reinforced the belief that the Armed Forces, right from the days of the Partition, have been a highly professional force who take great pride in their competence and integrity and a deep respect for the constitutional laws of the land. Further, their training and stints in cantonments around the country have insulated them from the regional and central politics.

They have always followed an unwritten code that politics must be kept out of their barrack rooms. Fortunately for India, the top military brass has possessed a fine education and hailed from upper middle families. This, according to the author, has helped in strengthening the civil-military relationship. More importantly, our military leaders have honoured the supremacy of the political leaders for they have always possessed firm belief in the democratic values of the country.

The book has also examined critical periods such as the transfer of power in 1947, the 1962 Sino-Indian war, the imposition of the Emergency and the ``Operation Bluestar''. The respondents to the questionnaire were particularly asked to give their views on the role of the political leaders, their competence and the functioning of the bureaucracy. In their response, the majority had generally accepted the political maturity of the leaders and competence of the bureaucracy. It will appeal to those interested in the history and politics of South Asia and the subject of civil-military relations.

Brig. A. THYAGARAJAN (Retd.)

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Advertising and society
Next     : Satya Sai Baba