Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat got three year extension in service and appointed as Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of India, a slot being created by the Indian government for the first time. Prime Minister Modi, exercising his executive powers announced his appointment, just one day before his retirement at the age of superannuation.
General Bipin Rawat, born in Pauri, Uttarakhand, India on 16 March 1958, in an Army-family, as his father was Lieutenant General Laxman Singh Rawat in the Indian Army. He attended Cambrian Hall School, Dehradun and the St Edward’s School in Shimla. He then joined the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honor’. He is also a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and the Higher Command Course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He has earned an MPhil degree in Defense Studies as well as diplomas in Management and Computer Studies. In 2011, he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy by Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut for his research on military media strategic studies.
General Rawat was commissioned into the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles on 16 December 1978, the same unit as his father. He took part in the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish and served in UN Mission in Congo. In 2015, he commanded a military operation in Myanmar. He has visited almost dozens of countries and secured several military medals and awards.
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), or similar posts exist in many countries but India has created this position just now. Theoretically, it can benefit Indian defense as coordination among its Air Force, Navy, Army, Intelligence, Media and Defense production may improve. But the same time may become counterproductive too.
General Rawat’s recent statements prove his political ambitions, and his alliance with the ruling party, especially with PM Modi’s Party RSS, is clearly the basis of his appointment. It will further politicize the Indian Army. In the future, ever General will be busy gaining political affiliation with the ruling party to get such a lucrative position. It might undermine the freedom of independent decisions making powers by the Air Force or Navy. There might be a rift among the three armed forces of India.
It has opened the gateway of political interference of the Army in politics and may lead to severe consequences like Marshal Law. Consequently, the politicization of the Armed forces may weaken their professional capabilities. It will create a new tradition in Indian Armed Forces, which never existed before.
Personally, General Rawat’s role in Kashmir, anti-minorities activities, Anti-China, Anti-Myanmar, Anti-Sri Lanka, Anti-Bangladesh, etc., activities may become more obvious and enhanced intensity. His political ideology of RSS may become more dominated in the next three years’ tenure. Regional peace and stability become under threat. India’s aggressive policies against its neighbors may be intensified.
The creation of a new may be an additional burden on the ailing Indian economy. While foreigners are leaving India and law & order situation become poor, no one is willing to invest in India. Banks are collapsing, the stock exchange is abnormally behaving, the job market has worsened and people are struggling for survival. The creation of such lucrative positions may increase the additional burden on the Government. It is not simply one person’s salary, the whole paraphernal means a huge cost.
It might help Modi Government to suppress the opposition parties and minorities by force for the time being, but in the longer run, domestic violence may gain more momentum and severity. Using the Force to resolve political issues is always counterproductive. India may realize but after too long, when the situation deteriorates beyond the irreversible stage.
There exist advantages and disadvantages of this act, let’s time may prove, whether this will help India or harm India. But the bottom line is that the neighboring countries need to be more careful and may take all necessary precautions well in advance.
