Former Army chief V K Singh’s call for dissolution of Parliament and its gherao has raked up a debate whether a man who has commanded the 1.3 million-strong force should be making such demands involving the highest institutions of democracy.
Recent statements by Gen. Singh, first for dissolving the Parliament and then about its gherao in support of sugarcane farmers, have evoked mixed reactions from his predecessors and colleagues.
“It is not befitting of an ex-Army chief to indulge in such activities. Even after retirement, he is looked upon by the serving people as their ex-chief and such things do not seem good.
“The Parliament is a supreme body in a functioning democracy of ours and cannot and should not be held hostage on any issue,” Singh’s predecessor Gen Deepak Kapoor said.
Supporting his move to join politics, Maj Gen (retd) G D Bakshi said when 70 per cent of the American presidents can be ex-servicemen, then why can’t Gen Singh enter politics.
“He is well within his rights to join politics as an ex-Army chief as it is not just the domain of corrupt and criminals,” he said.
Another former Army chief Gen V P Malik said legally there was nothing wrong in what Gen Singh was doing but it was “inappropriate” on his part on propriety issues.
“One has to be careful about utterances in public as they can influence serving people. Ex Army Chiefs should be seen as responsible people and not making wild statements,” Gen Malik told a TV channel.
Commenting on Gen Singh’s statements, Lt Gen (retd) Shankar Prasad said the language used was befitting that of a low-level politician.
At a meeting on Friday, Gen. Singh supported the demand of farmers to reject the Rangarajan committee report on freeing the sugar sector.
The committee recommended doing away with State Advisory Price which will adversely affect the farmers of northern states, he said.
The farmer’s body is planning a gherao of the Parliament on December 4 and when Gen Singh was asked if he would be part of the agitation, he suggested he may join it saying, “We will cross the bridge when we reach there...”
In an earlier conference with Anna Hazare, he had supported the demand of the social activist to dissolve Parliament.
Keywords: anti-corruption movements, UPA scams, political scandals, Team Anna, V.K. Singh, Parliament gherao
statement of general v k singh is very right and it is time to think
that what we have achieve after independence. Yes, in our constitution
parliament is supreme but this corrupt nexus have root from the
parliament.
Right from the day of Independence the politicians and Babus have
regularly down graded the Defence services including in their pay and
emoluments, taking cover that they are gagged by the oath of their
service. But they cannot be kept under wrap till infinity, and even
beyond their retirement days, so long they do not indulge in spilling
the beans about the security of the Nation. When the general had
written to the PM about the ill-preparedness of the Defence services to
defend the Boarders for want of essential equipment, the letter was
deliberately leaked to the press to let him down and denigrate the
Defence Services. The babus who indulged in such heinous act got away
scot free, instead of being hanged for such a serious crime. He as a
Leading citizen has every right to fight and defend the right of
citizens of India who are not able to do it themselves and whose cry is
never heard by the politicians and babus he must continue to fight for
the rights of down trodden citizen
There are many people who want status quo, so that loot/party can go
on ! That is the only reason for argument which appeal to the
authority - sanctity of constitution etc. If he said, parliament shall
be dissolved, it does not mean that it shall be demolished - Is it so
Mr. Deepak Kapoor?
On one side there is one man who is very polite and who did not punish
the perpetrators of sukhna scam and adarsh scam, while on the other
side there is a man who is talking straight on the street. The choice
is obvious.
Its fight of elite vs common man. Constitution is being demolished by
those who buy votes, who favor cronies and who rig the election, not
by those who speak against these systematic manipulators.
Gen V K Singh has full right to join any political party including IAC and fight for the rights of every citizen of India. Gen Deepak Kapoor has no right to pass any judgement on VKS or his activities.There is no law which prevents retired Defence Chiefs from raining any issue on any subject like any other citizen of India.Gen Kapoor has been Army Chief how come he did not know that ADRASH building site in Mumbai was meant for war widows? How come he got a flat allotted to himself in this housing society which was big scam.When his name appeared in news papers as one of the allottees he went to Defence Minister and told him he did not know ADRASH was for war widows! What a shame.On the contrary VKS is trying to help the farmers who has been affected by the Rangaraj committee report on sugar. VKS has not violated any law and he is a free citizen after retirement to do any work which pleases him.There cant be anything better than a social cause which he is fihghting for.Well Done General
V. K. Singh had already made several controversial outbursts not
commensurate with the high office held by him. One of the arms deal made
during his term of office is under investigation. He himself is stained.
It is highly unbecoming of a retired Chief of Army to stoop to the level
of a road-side protester. Mr Singh, it is high time you made an
introspection of your own conduct first before making comments on issues
of national interest.
Brijesh Mishra and many Indians felt that VK singh's conduct is unbecoming of Army Chief and he should have been dismissed.Govt allowed Singh to complete his tenure.Govt tried to confuse nation on Tatra Truck issue, also. Now Indians will see ex army chief meddling in nasty politics. A man of many birthdays is trying to enter into politics.
The all merciful God has kept the ambitions of Generals in check,while they were in service. I hope and pray that HE will do the same with retired Generals also
when the political parties of our country has made mokery of our constitution and parliament,say it the ruling party or the opposition then how a person can keep quite.
the need of time is that every indian should raise to the ocassion and try to clean the political system with his individual capicity.
Not speaking one's mind in the name of propriety is an even bigger crime. The Former chief wanted the current parliament dissolved, and not replace the Parliament with something else. It is the right of a common man to protest against governments and constitutional bodies that should protect their interests, and yet perceived not to do so. One can agree or disagree with the expressed opinion, but cannot demand silence under any pretext.
Gen. Singh is doing more harm than good .... being something of a loose cannon.
When he became Army chief he enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as a
professional solider and an honest man. However, he has been unmindful of the
dignity of the high office he has held and of the image of the Army. Any army is
the ultimate guarantor of a nation's honor and security.... and our Army in
particular has enjoyed a high reputation (unique among non-western armies) of
discipline, loyalty to our democracy and as being above the political fray.
Therefore for a former Army chief to be calling for the gherao and dissolution of
Parliament, an institution he swore to protect and preserve, is extremely
unfortunate. Gherao is a highly disruptive activity that adds nothing to political
discourse and hinders the functioning of the people's will. Our politicians have
shown themselves to be unscrupulous rabble ... the last thing we need is for the
Army to descend to their level.
Indian army General's post is more of an institution than a job. but
its a job nonetheless, like bureaucrats have. Should they(both General
and Bureaucrats) not raise their if they see corruption in the
society. When ruling party, opposition, bureaucrats and corporate for
a nexus, the responsibility come down eminent citizens and social
leader to raise their voices to protect the democratic institution.
General's voice is well within democratic framework. In a worst case
scenario, those who envisioned that a coup d'etat will happen, must
remember that our defense forces function under democratic govt not
with the govt like other machinery. Govt is "the people".
V.K.Singh has got every right and do/implement his thought process. He is also a citizen of his country and has his own feelings. Infact held the highest office in the defence has got a better exposure than any common man.He has brought to notice of several incidents in his office and suggested solutions too. why because it is very to critcise and find faults but if you are able to give a solution to it this gives more discussions.
True, we need to take steps to get back parliaments supremacy. It is
only possible if we dissolve this constitution and get rid of people
like kapil sibal, salmaan khurshid, narayan swamy, Manish Tiwary,
Mulayam singh, Lalu prasad, Rajiv Shukla, Sharad Pawar, Sanghvi,
Digvijay singh etc etc. Hence Gen. V K Singh who knows how our country
has suffered showing concern has asked for dissolution. Its high time
now, people should support Kejriwal and Anna Hazare efforts to change
the system.
keep it up entire nation is with you,sir
Good to see people like VK Singh shedding off the comfort of drawing room
discussions.
Rest of them are behaving like paper tigers who have built imaginary cages around
them.
It is indeed a sad situation for the Country,it is just because of our
education.We must have a syllabus on our FREEDOM MOVEMENT and the
sacrifices made by our forefathers.It must be a special subject and
students must have a pass to continue upper education.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in what he has said, people on congress pay roll will keep blaminmg Sing and people like him, this parliment is filled with corroupt it should be dissolved
“One has to be careful about utterances in public as they can
influence serving people. Ex Army Chiefs should be seen as responsible
people and not making wild statements,” Gen Malik told a TV channel. -
-- i endorse this view. In the democracy, with the rulings of the
parliament, the Gen was able to issue commands to the Army. he cannot
expect the same after retiring from service. now he is one among the
citizens. he must understand that there were hue & cry against army
excesses over civilians when he was an officer. would he have resigned
or accepted the blames when he was in the decision making side!.. i
feel it is immature and inexperienced attitude.
Misguided General!
Is he taking revenge ?
He also needs to respect constitution and country
General VK Singh is right and other may be right too but we want General VK singh and other Genrals to fight with inside enemies for this country.
You may choose to live a luxurious life but do not comment adversely on Genaral VK Singh.
Other generals I believe you are intelligent enough not to be influenced by anybody but by your own soul and spirit.
there whole coutry is with General VK Singh .
It is indeed correct to ask for dis-solution as the MP's have been elected by indulging in corruption, buying votes, fixing the ballots, having their people cast votes multiple times etc and then proceeding to recover a thousand times.
Clearly top Congress and Bjp & all party leaders just shed crocodile tears but intent on looting.
Those who say that the General's language was befitting that of a low-level politician, are those whose stomachs are full and have enough stashed away and do not want country to improve.
In fact it seems we now need a non-corrupt military rule, something we should not want, but need desperately to root out the corrupt politicians, police, officials et al;
How will India fight with countries like China with generals like VKS? What message his actions will send to world about India.His actions shows he was loyal to self not to country. Just few months was he had the responsibility of protecting the country and its people including all institutions, and now he is talking of geraoing parliament. Such people can sell themselves very cheaply.
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