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Lebensraum, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the AIUDF: there is a lot to unpack here. However, far more than important that what was said is the fact of who said it. The chief of the Indian Army making adverse observations about an Indian political party or commenting on the foreign policy aims of India’s neighbours is highly irregular. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident: it is part of a larger trend of the politicization of the Indian Army. Increasingly, the army is not just a fighting force but is a participant in public debates as well. This would be a troubling phenomenon in any democracy, where politics should be conducted exclusively by civilians.
Jumping into politics
Rawat’s comments on a political party were preceded by the Indian Army’s censure last week of Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Refuting the accusation that Indian Muslims are unpatriotic, Owaisi pointed out that of the seven people killed in a recent terror attack in Kashmir, five were Muslim soldiers. Rather than let other politicians respond to Owaisi, the Indian Army itself jumped into the fray to rebut Owaisi, arguing that he was trying to “communalize martyrs.” Since he was appointed army chief, Rawat’s freewheeling comments have also often crossed the line into politics. In January, Rawat attacked China on the Doklam crisis, calling for a multi-pronged approach, including diplomatic, military and partnerships with other countries in the region, to deal with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry, in turn, responded to Rawat’s statements. Even more troublingly, Rawat waded into nuclear policy, arguing that India is ready to call Pakistan’s nuclear “bluff.” Rawat has also proffered his views on Kashmir. In February, 2017, he said Kashmiri civilians interfering with operations against militants will be considered anti-national and the army could even use force to deal with them.Also Read - Bangladesh worried about influx of Bangalis from Assam
Enter BJP
How did things come to such a pass? One major factor is the rise to power of the BJP in 2014 and its use of a muscular nationalism – a key component of which is militarism. Messaging around national security, military action on Pakistan and terror were a key part of Narendra Modi’s campaign. To this end, the BJP even appointed a former army chief to its cabinet after winning the elections. In 2016, Bipin Rawat was appointed army chief by superseding two other officers – something that has happened only one other time since 1947. After his elevation, Rawat has frequently endorsed the Modi government’s policies in public. He praised the ill-considered decision in 2016 to demonetize 86% of India’s currency. As part of his comments on the AIUDF on Wednesday, he praised the Modi government for “now looking at the North East in [the] correct perspective.” The surgical strikes of 2016 – in which the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control to attack Pakistani post – were also used by the BJP in the political arena. The 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections saw the BJP using these attacks as part of its campaign. The Indian Army itself allowed the team that carried out the surgical strike to speak directly to the media. In May, Major Leetul Gogoi, the officer accused of using a human shield in Kashmir, was presented at a press conference to defend himself.Also Read - Indian army chief’s Assam remarks trigger row
