CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim attacks govt, drags in RSS – Defence News of India

SOURCE: Times Now

With the Army planning to induct civilians for a three-year tenure, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Mohammad Salim, has criticised the proposal and accused the government of trying to shed its responsibilities at a time when the unemployment rate in the country is very high.

Commenting on the Army’s proposal to induct the young generation into the 1.3 million force to give them an ‘opportunity to experience military life’, the CPI(M) leader said that the idea is brilliant, but the motive is to reduce the pay bill and shed responsibilities. Coming down hard at the government, the former parliamentarian said when the unemployment rate is very high, the government is planning to do away with long-term commitments. “This is unfortunate. When the government should act more responsibly, it is trying to shed the responsibilities,” he said.

Further slamming the government, he said, “In the guise of patriotism, you get the prime youth of the county into the service, but after 3 years say goodbye. This is wrong.”

“We have National Cadet Corps (NCC), so if we talk about bringing in discipline and exposure to the Army network then its good that you pour in more money into the NCC and motivate students to join.”

The CPI(M) leader also dragged in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into the issue. “The RSS has already said that he ‘shakha’ people are ready to go the border and fight so it should not be an encouragement to the ‘shakha babus’ for a fashionable role, because most of these people, whose families don’t even join the armed forces, will fight on the twitter in this fake patriotism era.”

The Army sources have termed the proposal a “game-changer”, saying that the main aim is to bring the people from civil society people closer to the force by giving them an opportunity to experience military life.

Meanwhile, there has been a mixed response from military and strategic affairs experts on the Army’s proposal.

Speaking exclusively to Times Now, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said, “Whenever we have gone around and spoken to the youth in various places we have come across the feeling and suggestions that they would like to experience the Army life, but they do not necessarily see it as a career option.”

Former Army Chief Gen (retd) JJ Singh supported the move. He said: “It is an out-of-the box idea which I am sure would be extensively deliberated upon. It is for those who have a feeling to have a military background and not wanting to have a career in the Army. It may also help inculcating discipline into the civil sector.”

Lt Gen (retd) Rameshwar Roy spoke against the Army’s plan saying, “Our army is a grounded army. You learn from experiences. By the time, anyone will be able to contribute to the army, he will be out under the new concept. The idea looks very fanciful.”