Drishtikone
Now, even Army Chief JJ Singh has joined in this debate on the Muslim census in the Indian Army as have other servicemen! Its amazing that the poiticians would not let the Armed Forces alone!! This is like tinkering with the ONLY shield we have left in our country!!
The move also generated intense opposition from military brass. While Army Chief General JJ Singh has maintained that the Indian armed forces were “apolitical, secular and professional”, ex-servicemen, including retired Generals, on Tuesday announced a protest rally on Wednesday “against politicisation of the armed forces with reference to Muslim personnel”.
As the opposition united to mount pressure on the issue, the UPA government tried to brazen out the heat by claiming that the PMO had no role to play in the controversy.
The committee constituted by the Prime Minister’s Office was aimed at preparing a report on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India, a statement from the PMO said.
The explanation found few takers in the backdrop of the seven-member Sachar Committee’s efforts to bulldoze the armed forces into parting with information about Muslims in their ranks.
“The move will not only affect the morale of the armed forces but also communalise the political atmosphere,” former Defence Minister and NDA convenor George Fernandes said.
As if to substantiate Mr Fernandes’ apprehensions, Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari defended the move as “necessary for the benefit of the Muslim community.”
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