Report of Army Movement towards Delhi: Is it another attempt to disrepute General VK Singh?

Today a cover story has appeared in an English Daily. According to which On Jan 16, an entire unit of mechanised infantry based in Hisar with its fighting vehicles, began moving towards Delhi. It parked near Najafgarh in Delhi.Also, a Sizeable section of the Agra-based 50 Para Brigade also moved near Palam in Delhi.Reportedly Top Brass of the Govt. including Defence Minister was not aware of this massive Army movement.When this massive army movement came to the notice of the Govt., they intervened and movement of Army Personnel from two places was stopped and ordered to be moved back.

Although Defence Minister and PM have termed this report as “Baseless”.Others concerned in the Army(as per the Newspaper) consider movement as a part of “Routine Training Exercise”.

Incidentally, this massive Army Movement coincided with the Supreme Court hearing on Age Row of General VK Singh with Govt on the same day.

The above report, if true, is very unfortunate and very damaging for country’s security and it reflects trust deficit between the military and Govt at the lowest ebb. However, if the report is without any basis,it is again very unfortunate. It may lead people to believe that Indian Army, like its counterparts in the subcontinent, had tried to misadventure into civilian Govt. arena. Incidentally, at the moment Army is under command of General VK Singh and his relationship with the Govt during the recent times is well known to the whole world. Of late, General Singh’s Bribery claim, letter written by him directly to PM on the state of lack of preparedness of Indian Defence, asking CBI directly to probe corruption charges against another serving army General have caused great degree of discomfiture for the Govt and certainly they must be finding very difficult to contend with General VK singh during his remaining couple of months of tenure.

Now, this report, may probably serve to create a public perception about General VK Singh that in the face of his glaring defeat on Age Row with Govt, he would have tried to take control of the Govt through the Indian Army.This kind of public perception in the largest democracy of the world may probably dent his image so severely that in his war against massive corruption prevalent in Defence with Govt, he would stand vanquished.Is it the motive behind the today's report of Army movement towards Delhi? Earlier, a letter written by him directly to PM on the state of lack of preparedness of Indian Defence was leaked and those supporting the Govt had obliquely referred this leak to General Singh. It is really very unfortunate that corruption ridden Govt. is so scared of any body taking cudgel against corruption that they go all out to demolish the public image of the person. Earlier, it happened with Baba Ramdev, later on same attempt was made to disrepute Team Anna members one after another. It appears that same trick is now being played on General VK Singh also. It is really very sad and unfortunate that amidst huge uproar raised on leak of letter written by Army Chief to PM and now the public outcry on alleged Army movement towards Delhi, pertinent discussion on corruption in Defence and state of lack of preparedness of Indian Defence is being lost.