Brig Inder Mohan Singh ‘a letter under coverage of India Today .
The letter, written by senior veterans under the banner of the Indian Ex-Services League (IESL), questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the assault on an Army officer’s fiancée in Odisha, and called for action from the top leadership.
The Army officer’s fiancée (R) was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bharatpur Police Station on September 15.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 25, 2024 11:11 IST
Edited By: Akhilesh Nagari
In Short
- Veterans raise concerns over violence against military personnel
- Veterans express disappointment at lack of response from PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah
- They call for direct communication line for veterans with leadership
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Indian military veterans have raised serious concerns regarding the growing incidents of violence against serving personnel and their families. The letter, written by senior veterans under the banner of the Indian Ex-Services League (IESL), questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the assault on an Army officer’s fiancée in Odisha, and called for action from the top leadership.
The letter, dated September 24, specifically draws attention to the assault and humiliation of Brigadier A Pradhan’s daughter, who was reportedly mistreated in Odisha. Brigadier Pradhan, President of the IESL’s Odisha chapter, along with his daughter’s fiancé, a serving officer, has become emblematic of the deep frustration felt by military families regarding the silence of India’s top leadership on such incidents.
While the veterans acknowledged the media interaction of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Madhya Bharat area, they expressed disappointment at the lack of response from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, noting that similar incidents in opposition-ruled states have received far greater attention. The letter underscores that while certain events have prompted national outrage and political action — such as the high-profile case of a trainee doctor in West Bengal — the incidents in Odisha, Dr Ambedkar Nagar, and Rajasthan have been met with an “unsettling silence.”
The veterans emphasised the importance of military ethos and the respect for rank and service, criticising the military leadership for what they described as its passive response to these troubling incidents. “Veterans who are 20 to 30 years older than the current military leadership have followed the military ethos of respect for higher ranks,” the letter stated, implying that the same respect has not been reciprocated.
The letter also touched on the politicisation of military promotions, expressing concern over the unpredictability and influence on military leadership decisions since the current government came to power. The veterans warned that these developments, particularly the ongoing theatre command reforms, could further complicate matters by creating four new four-star generals, potentially leading to more silence and inaction on critical issues.
Furthermore, the veterans invoked historical precedents, citing incidents where military personnel had taken a stand against misconduct by civilians, such as the well-known thrashing of Surinder Singh Kairon, son of the then Punjab Chief Minister, after he misbehaved with an Army officer’s wife. The veterans hinted that had the recent incident taken place in a state with more military presence, the response may have been more forceful.
In an unprecedented move, the veterans also suggested that the CDS and military leadership establish a WhatsApp line to allow veterans to share their views directly, indicating a deepening divide between the rank and file of the military and its leadership.
The letter concluded with a pointed question: would the military leadership honour the sacrifices of veterans and their families by taking up these issues with the Prime Minister? The veterans, clearly frustrated by the current situation, urged the country’s top military leaders to speak up and defend the honour of those who have served.
This open and candid letter has stirred conversations within the military community and beyond, raising questions about the treatment of serving personnel, veterans, and their families, as well as the military’s place in India’s current political climate.
- Chilling details of Army officer, his fiancée assault case in Odisha emerge
- Woman claims she was repeatedly kicked, dragged by her hair
- Odisha Police suspends five officers
Chilling details have emerged of the ordeal faced by an Army officer and his fiancée, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bhubaneswar’s Bharatpur police station. The incident happened when they had gone to lodge a complaint against miscreants who had waylaid them when they were returning home in Bhubaneswar on September 14.
The woman, who was also arrested by the police, was granted bail by the Orissa High Court on Thursday considering the gravity of the allegations. Narrating her harrowing experience to the media, the woman said she was repeatedly kicked on her chest before a police inspector assaulted and also flashed her.
Here is a timeline of the events:
September 14: Midnight
A peaceful evening turned into a nightmare for an Army officer and his fiancée as they were returning home in Bhubaneswar. The couple was suddenly chased by a group of unidentified goons. Fearing for their safety, they rushed towards the nearest police station.
September 15: 1 am
Breathless and scared, the couple arrived at the police station to file a complaint. However, little did they know that the worst was yet to come.
September 15: Between 1.30-3 am
In a horrific turn of events, the couple alleged that they were brutally assaulted by the police officers. The woman alleged that she was stripped, sexually assaulted and physically tortured.