2

May

Why do ex-servicemen shy away from politics? 

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Today’s Edition

New Delhi, 2 May 2024 

Prabhjot Singh

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Punjab as the sword arm of the country has made Punjabis and soldiers synonymous. Moment, you talk of a soldier, a picture of a Sikh soldier comes up. Known for their valour, discipline, commitment, patriotism and above all the spirit of sacrifice, Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular, were the number one choice for the British in adding strength to their defence forces.

 

Even after independence, Sikhs continued to play a major role in the defence forces of the country, always maintaining its singular lead role in sacrifices in the defence of the country. Another day when a book on the “Military History of Sikhs” was released at Chandigarh Press Club, the select gathering carried the elite of Indian defence forces.  While former Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa was the chief guest, five Lieut-Generals – Bhupinder Singh, KJS “Tiny” Dhillon, R S Sujlana, K S Mann and KJ Singh -  were on the dais. That speaks volumes about the contribution Punjab has been making to the national defence.

 

Article at a Glance

 

The article discusses the contribution of Punjab, particularly Sikhs, to the defense forces of India. Historically, Punjabis have been known for their bravery, discipline, and commitment to the nation.

They were the preferred choice for the British to strengthen their defense forces, and even after independence, Sikhs have continued to play a major role in the defense forces of India. However, the article notes that the interest in defense forces among the youth of Punjab has been waning, and there has been a lack of representation of ex-servicemen in politics. The four major political parties in the state, Congress, BJP, AAP, and Shiromani Akali Dal, have not named any ex-servicemen as candidates in the ongoing general elections.

The article highlights the apathy of political parties towards ex-servicemen and their long-standing demands, such as one rank one pension. It also mentions the failed attempts of ex-servicemen to form a political outfit in Punjab for the redressal of their demands. The article concludes by stating that ex-servicemen have stayed clear of politicians and political parties in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

When a reference was made to why the youth of Punjab have started preferring Canada to defence forces made many heads rise in the audience. Interest in defence forces has started waning. It may be the reason that when the country is going through the general elections, ex-servicemen have been conspicuous by their lack of interest in this traditional festival of democracy. Not many ex-servicemen are in the fray. And Punjab, for example, is drawing a blank on this account.

 

None of the four major political parties – Congress, BJP, AAP, and Shiromani Akali Dal – has named even a single candidate from amongst a substantial population of ex-servicemen in the State.

 

This apathy of the political parties is appalling. Why not give adequate representation to ex-servicemen so that they can raise their long-standing demands on the floor of the lower House of Parliament? Maj-General R S Sparrow was perhaps the last ex-serviceman of standing to represent the State in Parliament. Other than him, Capt  Amarinder Singh represented Punjab twice in Parliament for varying periods.

 

Before the farmers' agitation a couple of years ago, ex-servicemen, too had a long peaceful agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of their long-standing demand of one rank one pension. Like farmers, they too, drew a virtual blank though the government claimed that it had announced its biggest-ever package for the welfare and sustenance of ex-servicemen.

 

Like farmers, ex-servicemen hardly got organised to project their political wing for redressal of their demands from time to time. In Punjab, they did venture to form a political outfit, Rashtriya Raksha Dal (RRD) many years ago. It, however, failed to impact either the ventral or State politics. It got disintegrated. Since then, though some ex-servicemen, including a retired army chief, Gen JJ Singh,  unsuccessfully contested elections as a nominee of Shiromani Akali Dal, opposing another ex-serviceman, Capt Amarinder Singh, in Patiala.

 

Since then, a lot of water has flown through the Sutlej. All this while, ex-servicemen have stayed clear of politicians and political parties.

 

Besides Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, too, have a substantial population of ex-servicemen, though giving them representation in politics is no better there. 

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