Lt Gen ML Naidu: 'Politicised forces can swing any way. I completely endorse every word in the letter sent to the President'
Former Army vice chief Lt General ML Naidu spoke with Rohit E David about the controversial letter to the President by armed forces veterans on the 'politicisation of the forces'. Some veterans have outright rejected signing such a letter.
Q. Why was this letter to the President written?
Well, we felt that the armed forces were being dragged into politics — we did not want politicisation of the armed forces.
This is not the first time such an incident happened, but this time, we decided to intimate the President that he should do something — he is, after all, the supreme commander.
Q. Was this letter written because photographs were seen of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on one political party’s posters?
There were so many small little things, not one particular incident or something. It’s a cumulative effort, that’s why we decided to write the letter.
Q. What message do you want to send to the entire county — and especially, to the President — about the armed forces?
The letter speaks about politicisation, it does not say anything else. There is no breast-beating, nothing at all. This letter was all over on the email, so there is no question of signing it, only endorsing it.
I have endorsed it, I’m not denying that.
No letter has been written by me but by all the veterans — and we have endorsed it, I’m part of it. Physically, no one on the list has signed it.
Q. Who is politicising the armed forces?
Everyone is doing it — no one is above it.
Q. But how did the idea of writing this letter to the President come about?
There were small little issues which were getting accumulated. This was a reaction to cumulative issues which have taken place in the last couple of years — they has been bothering all of us since very long, even before the last five years actually.
Earlier, the armed forces were not taking part in the dispensations of political parties. In a sense, they were not permitted. Postal ballot earlier was a poor joke. Armed personnel who are in a station for more than six months are entitled to vote. Today, postal ballots have become more effective — so certain types of politicisation creep in.
Q. Do you think the armed forces are seriously worried about the political interference you mention?
It is, definitely. If the armed forces are politicised, then it could swing any way.
This is not good for the nation — or for the political set-up.
Q. When did this concept of writing this letter come about?
There was no formal group as such. When we are in service, we are not permitted to have any associations, it’s only after service that we get associated. This letter was on email and everyone communicated through email and phone, nothing on WhatsApp.
This process to write the letter was initiated by the group based in Mumbai or Pune.
Q. But Rashtrapati Bhawan has denied that they have received the letter?
Maybe it takes time to reach Rashtrapati Bhawan. In a government office, it usually takes one week for the dispatcher to open a letter and put it up.
I have no idea whether the letter was sent through email or post.
Q, Why has this row broken out now, with the elections here?
We would have written this letter if the election period was not there too. There are so many other issues which are bothering us, we are grumbling every day on how to go about these.
Postcript:
The controversial letter, written on April 11, titled 'From a group of veterans to our Supreme Commander', reportedly signed by 156 veterans, had pointed out how "political leaders [were] taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes. The letter had raised an objection to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath referring to the Armed Forces as 'Modiji ki sena'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also asked first-time voters to dedicate their votes to soldiers who carried out the air-strike in Balakot. Praising the Election Commission for seeking an explanation from Adityanath over his remark, the letter added that they "regret to state that these do not appear to have resulted in any substantive change of behaviour and practice on the ground."
Urging President Ram Nath Kovind to look into the matter, the letter said, "As the Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces, some concerns which have caused considerable alarm and disquiet among both the serving and the retired personnel of our Forces." The letter also expressed veterans’ disappointment on party workers wearing military uniforms, posters and images with pictures of soldiers — including IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
"Given the prevailing environment where political parties and candidates seem to be acting in total disregard of the declaration of the 'model code of conduct', we fear that such incidents may only increase as polling day draws near," the letter read. "We respectfully urge you [President] to take all necessary steps to urgently direct all political parties that they must forthwith desist from using the military, military uniforms or symbols, and any actions by military formations or personnel, for political purposes or to further their political agendas," the letter apparently adds.