In a sign of increasing military hegemony, India has named its Army Chief General Bipin Rawat to a newly-created and dominating post of Chief of Defence Staff. The main aim of the post is increased cooperation between the different branches of the military apart from an aggressive policy implementation.
Indian authorities had long been recommended to set up a similar post since its Kargil debacle. Rawat was the front-runner for the position and was confirmed by increasingly hostile Modi government just days before he was set to retire. The question remains why Bipin Rawat was handpicked for the new post.
General Rawat was recently assailed for his political remarks on the ongoing protests against the citizenship amendment act, saying that leadership was not about guiding crowds to carry out violence. These remarks drew sharp criticism from the Indian opposition and military officers for unnecessarily wading into political controversy. Many were of the opinion that the Indian army chief had crossed the line by taking a public stand against the protests.
In addition to this, General Rawat had issued controversial remarks over the situation along the Line of Control saying that the situation could escalate anytime soon. Pakistan army took exception to these remarks stating they were made to appease the Indian government and divert attention from the protests in India as well as the continued atrocities in held Kashmir.
DG ISPR has stated that General Rawat was repeatedly provoking war with irresponsible statements coupled with the ‘blood of innocents’ on his hands. It was during Rawat’s tenure that India faced several military losses including a purported surgical strike. Indian adventurism in February turned costly as Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured and a MiG 21 aircraft was destroyed. There have been several losses on the Indian side of the LoC under Rawat’s watch.
The question as to the purpose of the newly-created post remains. The US military is head by a Chief of Staff who can be selected from any branch but remains at an administrative post. Pakistan army has the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee who remains at a statutory post without any authority over the command of combatant forces. General Rawat would probably act as military adviser to the BJP government as it seeks to spread its fascist ideology.
The Indian military has long remained apolitical and respected the secular values in India before Rawat took a stand. It has been the bedrock of the armed forces to remain neutral and not partisan. The BJP government seems to tarnish the Indian army for its political gains which can have serious repercussions.
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