OROP : Agitation – Let us Change our Tactics - Maj Gen VK Singh

(if only the serving soldiers and the present top brass had joined in the agitation would have succeeded much earlier)

THE OROP AGITATION – LET US CHANGE OUR TACTICS

The OROP agitation is not going anywhere. If the first attack fails, one should never attack along the same approach again. It is now time to change our tactics and follow alternative approach.

As a first step, I suggest that we call off the hunger strike and stop giving press notes, briefings and interviews.

We should also blank ourselves from the social media.

We should do what we have to do quietly, without raising a hue and cry. The tactic is very simple – follow the rule book. Some of the rules that we need to follow are as under:-

• No Soldier, Sailor or Airman in uniform should salute anyone other than a member of the Defence Services senior to him in rank. Except for the President, who is the Supreme Commander, no civilian, irrespective of his status, is entitled to a military salute. However, we should continue to be respectful, and follow the norms of civility and etiquette.

• Soldiers should not be made available to civilian officials and Ministers for duties in their offices and residences. This includes staff car drivers, runners, computer operators, telephone operators, and sundry duties for which soldiers are being used today. A soldier should be explained that he is not duty bound to perform any duties that do not relate to his profession and that no civilian, irrespective of his status, has powers of command over him.

• Military hospitals should stop treating civilians and their kith and kin, who are all entitled to medical treatment through the CGHS. If a soldier is not entitled to medical treatment by CGHS clinics, there is no reason for military hospitals to extend these facilities to civilian officials. Even if this cannot be officially promulgated, an army doctor can refuse to treat a civilian on his own.

• Use of service aircraft by civilian officials and their families and ferrying dead bodies of non-military personnel should be discontinued. An Air Force pilot can legitimately refuse to fly a civilian, dead or alive, as a passenger. This also applies to warships of the Indian Navy.

• Civilians should NOT be given canteen facilities. This includes civilians paid form Defence estimates, those employed in Defence establishments, personnel of central police forces, and intelligence agencies.

• All facilities such as permanent and temporary membership on pay and use basis given to civilians in Defence Messes and Clubs should be withdrawn.

• Services of a non-military nature should not be extended in future. This includes construction of bridges in religious congregations such as the Kumbh Mela, overbridges in urban areas (as happened during the Commonwealth games), picking up dead bodies, cleaning streets, providing water tankers during rallies and so on. However, wherever lives are to be saved and civilian help is not immediately available, humanitarian aid should continue to be provided.

• The Armed Forces are required by law to provide Aid To Civil Power during law and order situations. However, this should be done strictly in accordance with the rules, after the situation has been officially handed over to the Army. Jobs that should and can be done by the Police or Central Police Forces should not be taken on by the Army.

• Military personnel are being provided on deputation to a large number of organisations that are used for counter terrorism or provide personal protection to personnel. This includes the NSG, SPG etc. These are non-military duties from which soldiers should be withdrawn.

These are my first thoughts. Before they are put into effect, we should obtain the views of veterans, especially the ex-chiefs. We should also consult the Serving Chiefs and obtain legal opinion on the implications of these measures.

But once they are implemented, they are bound to achieve results.

The day the babu in the MoD finds that he cannot use a staff car with a BA number driven by a uniformed driver; cannot go to the MH for getting his root canal; will not get his favourite whisky from the canteen and will not be able to stay in the guest room of an Army Mess or the MES IB in Nainital, Mussourie or Simla during his vacation, he will come down to Mother Earth.

Maj Gen VK Singh, Veteran

[Internet]