The Hindu : Innocence, maybe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 25, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Innocence, maybe

Sir, — The answer to the mind boggling question raised in your Editorial, `The Sekhon Issue' (March 22), as to ``how such an experienced officer could have been foolish enough to make this kind of request in writing'', is perhaps his innocence rather than foolishness. That the person in question is a high officer in the defence force necessarily takes too much limelight. A higher degree of discipline is expected of such a post, is also a well- founded notion. But should the concept of discipline or morale be taken as a prerequisite, strictly confined to the precincts of defence and its high ranking officers, with no bearing, whatsoever, with general and public life? Perhaps the defence department is not the origin of the cancer of political (politically-motivated) interference. May be it is the culmination and hence draws attention. Defence is, after all, a part and parcel of general governance, though with an apparent difference. The much too willing political class, allowed to perform and exchange `favours' in all the other departments of governance, hardly recognises the `disciplines' and the demarcation lines of the defence. If that interference and influence are taken for granted as a natural occurrence in public life, to keep only the military wings above board would be artificial.

R.K. Divakara,
Bangalore

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