THE YEAR OF LONG KNIVES

THE YEAR OF LONG KNIVES

By

Lt Gen PG Kamath

Today is the Republic Day of India, where the patriotic fervour of the nation rises to the highest pitch. On a short visit to Pune, I found the whole residential society that I was staying was decked with a riot of colours. Balloons of the tri-colour festooned on all the poles and trees. Few of the lazy households were awakened by ‘Vande Mataram’; its volume in sync with the patriotism exuding from the heart of everyone. A few teachers residing in the complex were mobilised to conduct the program. The program lasted over an hour and a half. Unfortunately; the most intrepid teachers who were armed with the hoarsest of voice, never left the mike trumpeting patriotic songs, bearing testimony to their irrepressible patriotism and self-confidence. The assemblage was in full zest as they were indifferent to the high decibel blast and were only reinforcing the noise levels with interim cries of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.

It is the patriotism of an average Indian. The politicians at the least parade their patriotic credentials to garner votes but the bureaucrats follow the creed; ‘Self before Country and Everyone Else’. Please do not blame them; it is in their ethos. They are the servitors of politicians and masters in ‘manipulation’. If not; why do you think they granted themselves with ‘Non-functional Upgradation’ in the 6th Pay Commission? Those, who do not know about it; those bureaucrats who do not get promoted due to indifferent performance will receive the same pay and perks as those promoted jettisoning the concept of efficiency and competency. Not that alone; all across the country even those belonging to all the allied cadres will get the promoted to a higher grade of pay and perks within two years of the promotion of IAS bureaucracy of their batch. Why India cannot be governed with efficiency; if you had not found the reason? I am sure, you know it now.  

In the year that had passed in 2019, five officers and 72 other ranks from the Indian Army were martyred on their line of duty on the borders. It was the price that the country paid to keep India breath the air of freedom. In addition, personnel from Central Armed Police force gave their lives in ensuring the internal security of the country. All at what cost? Do our countrymen recognise the sacrifices of our men and hear the cries of their widowed wives and orphaned children, who have to pick up the broken threads of their lives lost in the gloom of grief? In addition to the martyrs, several times more soldiers have been injured and disabled. They also need to struggle with their disability for the rest of their lives. Who cares? Soldiers, after all, are meant to be killed and wounded; as they do no favours to anyone.

Yes! It is exactly; what the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) think so?   It was on 24 Jun 2019; the CBDT was extremely busy as they had to accomplish what they had never done in the history of their existence. Ten levels of approval were to be done on a single day. However, there was a hitch; the Income Tax member of the Board was not in station. It certainly would not get deterred in its noble mission. He was rung up and his approval was taken telephonically and an endorsement was made on the minute sheet to consummate the decision on that day itself. Ten levels of approvals and actions were taken including the signing of the circular.  All this for what purpose? Just to deny the injured and disabled soldiers of their own country the IT exemption that was granted by the British since 1922. Ultimately; for whom and for what are the soldiers fighting for? As per the CBDT, the soldiers are fighting to get killed, injured and maimed to get the IT relief; and, it is their noble duty to ensure that the country does not suffer financial losses for mollycoddling the soldiers for getting injured in the battle. At one stroke they tried to extinguish the fighting spirit in the armed forces by belittling their sacrifices and humiliating them. Outrageous! Isn’t it? However; the finance minister does not think so! Even the previous Army Chief, whose sole duty is to ensure that the Army remains as a fighting force and he should have been willing to stake everything to ensure their operational readiness and welfare, did not intervene. For his silence, probably he was rewarded by the Government. At what cost? More than the financial loss; it is the humiliation of the veterans and also an oblique message to serving soldiers that your sacrifices will not be recognised; whatever you do to lose your limbs and getting disabled is of no great shakes. It does not matter to any of us; we will continue to tax you like anyone else in the country and whatever relief that you have been getting is a ‘One Big Mistake’. The entire groundwork for the brash and insensitive rescindment was done by the Ministry of Defence and they were giving a standing ovation to the CBDT for the fast-track promulgation of the anti-armed forces provision.

Amidst the glitz, glory and gaiety and flagrant display of pride and patriotism, on the Republic Day Parades in Delhi and across the country, the Armed Forces are feted in the limelight of adoration: We are grateful to the nation. However, behind the fa?ade of this public display let us not forget the sobering reality, in the dark corners of government offices, where power, jealousy and slight conspire with long knives, to undermine the very same forces.