A big blow to Army's image: former Chief

NEW DELHI, APRIL 18. The Army's image has suffered a big blow following the recent exposure of bribery in defence deals, according to the former Army chief and independent Rajya Sabha MP, Mr. Shankar Roychowdhury.

Armymen have been ``deeply disturbed at the obscene spectacle of senior officers consuming free scotch whisky provided by fly-by- night carpetbaggers chaperoned into their presence by the clerical cadre of the Defence Ministry,'' he said in an article in the coming issue of Indian Defence Review.

Calling for initiation of the process of ``Shuddhi'' (purification) to clear ``the burden of shame which has accumulated on its honour'', Mr. Roychowdhury said the restoration of self-esteem and redemption of `Izzat' (respect) would require a determined effort.

Noting that defence purchases cannot be carried out after announcements in public meetings or at all-party meetings, he said what was required was ``more water-tight yet transparent'' procedures for procurements.

However, whatever system was adopted, it would be only as good as the human beings who operate it, he said.

On the Tehelka expose, he said ``we have to expect Bollywood to get into the act now, by adding senior Army officers to its portfolio of screen villains which so far had remained restricted to politicians, businessmen and senior police officers.''

He quoted a Major serving on the Line of Control as saying, ``we too watch the television and read newspapers. We know the Army does not spare anyone who is involved in the most minor instance of wrong-doing. We are waiting, sir, to see whether the senior people who are involved will be treated likewise or will they get away with their misdeeds.'' Describing the Major's reaction as ``grave'', he said it indicated the reaction to the entire episode within the ``real Army and provide a glimpse of the suppressed anger within a proud organisation''.

Recalling the experience of the U.S. army personnel after the Vietnam War when they witnessed ``all-pervading corruption'' among the top hierarchy and the public outrage after the My Lai massacre, the former Chief said all that had generated a reaction, particularly among the youngsters in American officer corps., who vowed to regain the lost prestige with the watch-word ``never again''.

``I do believe the Indian Army is today standing at a similar crossroad. We will have to launch a similar movement with the armed forces themselves.''

Mr. Roychowdhury said the report of the Central Vigilance Commission on defence deals since 1986, presented recently to the Government, indicated that suspicions raised by the Tehelka expose were not baseless. The report indicated the involvement of bureaucrats, politicians and arms brokers, he said.

The former Chief said the tapes had confronted the Army with a battle for the heart and minds of its own people and it was a battle it cannot afford to lose.

- PTI

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