Opinion | Eroding Respect, Rising Impunity: A Threat To National Security And The Men At Borders
The attack on a serving Colonel of the Indian Army and his son by Punjab Police should have raised national outrage. About a decade ago, it would have, with the army itself leading the demand for justice. Today, there's hardly any visible reaction.
It’s a sad disgrace to our country’s core security, one that has been largely overlooked by all concerned institutions. The attack on a serving Colonel of the Indian Army and his son by Punjab Police should have raised national outrage. About a decade ago, it would have, with the army itself leading the demand for justice. Today, there’s hardly any visible reaction. This indicates trouble both internally and externally. It’s not just the deterioration of state institutions, but also an indifferent society, without clear principles or expectations of right and wrong. Both aspects deeply affect national security in multiple ways.
Cases are rising
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First, the incident itself. According to available footage, the police used extreme brutality on the officer and his son, all over a parking dispute. Whether or not the officer was rude to the police is unclear. Even if he used profanities, the police should have informed the nearest military authority about a possible detention. The Code of Criminal Procedure specifies that no armed forces personnel may be arrested by civilian authorities unless on serious charges like murder. In this case, the brutality of the violence passes all boundaries.
Such cases may be increasing. Days later, on March 25, a paratrooper was picked up, assaulted after a verbal exchange with an Inspector, who seemed inebriated, and detained. Even worse, the judicial authorities kept him under detention for 20 days. Another incident involved an Army Major in Odisha, who, with his fiancé, went to a police station for help after being attacked by a group of youths, only to be assaulted and detained themselves. An army officer was assaulted in Kerala by cadets who suffered minor food poisoning in December 2023.
Police power
The Army has since called for a ‘fair and honest…time-bound’ investigation into the incident. The incident is unusual in Punjab, a state that usually respects the army, and recruits heavily from there. Whether the Agnipath scheme of short service has led to resentment is an open question, with 37,000 youngsters reportedly denied coveted jobs. But Odisha and other states are not high recruiting areas, indicating a deeper issue.
The Punjab police’s reputation during terrorism, with a constable claiming at least 80 ‘encounters,’ is well-documented. A surprising number of high encounters are also in Assam, a place of insurgency. Counter-insurgency is corrosive of policing, as evident in Pakistan, where the police system has nearly collapsed. That’s a warning. Another aspect: recently, two Punjab police officers were given life sentences and fined Rs 2 lakh for killing an army jawan in 1992, 32 years later. No wonder the army is asking for a quick and fair trial. The slow judicial process is a key aspect. The officer involved in attacking the Colonel and his son has another case against him by a reputed oncologist.
In Assam, a Supreme Court judgment on investigating 171 alleged encounter cases seems stalled over concerns it would demoralise police. Police nationwide are seen as goons in uniform rather than guardians of the law. There are fine officers, but they operate in a system lacking accountability and closely linked to local politicians. That’s not good for them or the public. This rot needs to be stopped, requiring the energetic Home Minister to reform police impunity. Attempts at reform since the 1970s have done little. One suggestion is errant police personnel be sent to Siachen for ‘training.’ A hard dose of reality might do them good.
The Armed Forces are a-changing
The Armed Forces themselves are changing. Their make-up shifts as society changes in terms of traditions and principles. Today’s society has few remnants of core Indian traditions of respect and justice. It’s about ‘getting ahead’ by any means. However, the army maintains traditions and training that set high standards of bravery and valour.
During the Kargil War, 26 young officers were killed and 66 injured. This is an army where officers lead from the front, and their men follow to the death. The same is true in Kashmir, where young officers are on the front lines. This is remembered during ‘Kargil Diwas’ or in Bollywood movies, but forgotten otherwise. What about the commitments and values of senior officers? Once, officers commanded respect due to their reputation and dignity. That’s not always true any more. A huge shortfall in officers in 2023 indicates trouble. Now, the government doesn’t share the data. Many mid-level officers opt to leave service rather than pursue prestigious higher courses. The army also needs to look inwards as socio-economic profiles change.
Here’s the bottom line. Courage to fight at 18,875 feet in freezing temperatures requires conviction that he is the best and bravest. The same goes for an air force pilot whose speed starts at 300 km per hour or a submariner with thousands of tons of seawater above him. This conviction in his worth, service, and country is vital for national defence and security. Without it, he’s not good enough. This conviction requires a society that reflects some commitment. That society must have faith in institutions that reflect this absolute commitment. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. It’s understandable given the differing duties of each institution, particularly police and judiciary. But some emulation would benefit all and improve national security. The key word is ‘national.’ A soldier on the battlefield represents the nation. It better be worth it. Otherwise, he’s just a man on a hill with a gun he’s not sure he wants to use.
The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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