Gujaratis are not martial enough: Army

Gujaratis are not martial enough: Army By: M K Tayal (Mid Day) February 12, 2004 http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/relipolcom14.nsf/ec17764ea99fc75a65256aa6004ea2f7/24516f7d4aa1728665256e3a00268bc5?OpenDocument New Delhi: The Indian Army has politely but firmly rejected Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's request for raising a Gujarat regiment. There are two reasons for this refusal. One, the army already has 23 regiments and sees little logic in expansion on the basis of caste and community considerations, though it admits to facing a shortage of ground troops. The other reason, that army officials cite only strictly off the record, is that "Gujaratis, unlike some other Indian groups, are not a martial race but mainly businessmen." Army sources said Gujaratis in the army are known for their high rate of "desertions and AWOL (absence without leave)". Also, according to army officials, those Gujaratis who do not desert early usually seek retirement after completing the 15 to 18-year mandatory period that entitles a service man to benefits. "Most seek retirement at the earliest to enjoy re-employment benefits provided by the state governments and the private sector. At the same time, they enjoy an ex-serviceman's benefits," said an official. According to reports, Advani made a promise to raise a Gujarat regiment during a recent visit to his Gandhinagar constituency. Army officials feel the statement was a political gimmick. "In any case, suggestions should have been sought from the army before making any such promises," officials pointed out. Officials said that despite the need for ground troops, the army currently had no plans to raise a new regiment or even a unit (battalion), leave alone one from Gujarat. The last time infantry units were raised by the army was in Jammu & Kashmir in 1990. Called the Rashtriya Rifles, the units were raised mainly to conduct counter-terrorist operations. The British had, during their rule, raised regiments in the Indian Army on the basis of region and caste. The Punjab, Sikh, Rajput and Jat regiments were among the few earliest regiments formed on this principle. Even after Independence, the army continued to raise new regiments on these grounds, with minor changes. In certain cases, for instance, a particular regiment would have troops from two or more communities or regions. However, a large-scale mutiny by soldiers of a Sikh regiment after Operation Blue Star in 1984 forced the army to review its policy. After 1984, the army experimented by raising mixed battalions in each regiment but the move was not successful as the troops wanted a separate identity. In 1999, the army introduced a new system of recruitment through rallies, held in different states and regions. 'No need for regiments based on regions' Former director-general of the Indian infantry and colonel of the Punjab regiment, Lt Gen Shankar Prasad, says the very idea of raising community-based regiments must now be rejected. Excerpts from an interview: Do you think a new regiment should be raised on the basis of region? No, definitely not. The British had their reasons, but there is no need for us to have regiments on the basis of caste, community or region. What about the class composition? We have mixed regiments that have troops from all over India. Now each region/class has an earmarked percentage in the present recruitment process. Each class is well represented in the Indian Army. What about Gujarat? Gujarat is well-represented in the army. They have a fixed percentage in the Maratha, Grenadiers, Guards, Mahar and other regiments. We cannot have 33 regiments based on every state or Union territory. For example, in the Madras regiment, we have troops from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. But is it true that Gujaratis, considered a business community, don't generally want to join the army? I don't think so. The martial race concept was introduced by the British. The army does not believe in it. What it requires to join the troops is a tenth- standard certificate and prescribed physical standards. In the 33-week-long training that we give, we make sure the recruit becomes martial. But what about the percentage? Yes, that can be raised. But that is another issue.