Why bring religion into the armed forces, ex-servicemen organisation poses questions to CDS and chiefs

Referring to the 1971 Liberation war of Bangladesh, Brigadier Mohan noted that after the Second World War it was the first victory of its kind where surrender of a nation took place.

Veterans continue to question the removal of the iconic painting of 1971 India-Pakistan war from the Army chief’s lounge. In a tersely worded letter addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and all three service chiefs, Brigadier Inder Mohan Singh (retired), President of the Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) of which the Defence Minister is the patron-in-chief, questioned as to why one would “bring religion” into the armed forces and dismantle “our edifice and remove our roots” referring to the Garuda and Lord Krishna’s chariot in the new painting.

“Pangong Tso with mountains in the background, some military equipment. What is the significance? We have lost our patrolling rights from Finger 4 to 8. I know this because I commanded the then neglected 114 Infantry Brigade from 2001 to 2003. Then, we have Chanakya. Do we go by what was taught by him about 2,400 years back? If his philosophies were so sound, India would not have broken into so many regions, kingdoms, principalities, etc. And weren’t the British wise they brought all of them into one geography and today the armed forces are a result of that success and not Chanakya,” Brigadier Mohan questioned in the letter.

The IESL is recognised by the Defence Ministry as an umbrella ex-servicemen organisation and the CDS and three service chiefs are its patrons.

And finally you have the chariot probably reflecting Mahabharat, Brigadier Mohan said in the letter. “Wonder why [one would] bring religion into the armed forces? Do we want to dismantle our edifice and remove our roots? What relevance does it have with regard to our armed forces today?” he questioned.

In the backdrop of mounting criticism after the painting was removed last week from the Army chief’s lounge, the Army on Monday installed the iconic painting depicting the surrender of Pakistan in 1971 at Manekshaw Convention Centre, which it termed was its “most befitting” place.

Referring to the 1971 Liberation war of Bangladesh, Brigadier Mohan noted that after the Second World War it was the first victory of its kind where surrender of a nation took place. Before this, the Allies accepted the surrender of the Axis power countries at end of Second World War, he said.

The new painting ‘Karam Kshetra – Field of Deeds’ painted by Lt. Col. Thomas Jacob of 28 Madras regiment shows snow-capped mountains across the background, the Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh on the right side, Garuda and Krishna’s chariot on the left side with Chanakya and modern equipment like tanks, all terrain vehicles, infantry vehicles, patrol boats, indigenous Light Combat Helicopters and Apache attack helicopters.

What this photo has been replaced with is the decision of the Army chief, the veteran said, adding that questions do arise because it “affects us”.

Brig. Mohan said they would be grateful if the historical photo is gifted to IESL, “We’ll give it a place of honour.” As the subject of my letter says, photo finishes are always admired, be it the winner or the narrow loser, “but to finish photos which reflect history is an unpardonable act.”

Referring to the statue of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, credited for his decisive leadership in the 1971 war, that is in Manekshaw Centre, Brig. Mohan said: “I wonder why not name it ‘Chanakya Centre’ and replace our beloved Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s statue with that of Chanakya.”

Published - December 18, 2024 05:27 am IST