NFU & OTHER ISSUES -- FOOD FOR THOUGHT & SERIOUS INTROSPECTION BY SERVING FRATERNITY ( HIERARCHY), THINK TANKS & ESM EXPERTS , SPOKESPERSONS ON NATIONAL TV CHANNELS - Gp Capt AG Bewoor

1. What irks so many is that their long held beliefs and 'kattar' views get demolished. I just got an email that our NFU case is slated in Court # 3 on 16 Apr at the SC with Col Mukul fighting a valiant battle. Mukul has taken it up with the arguments that he felt were valid and genuine.

The weight of the full bureaucracy is against him, possibly even the judiciary is unsympathetic. What can he do? Question is this, why is the full force of the Indian Armed Forces not with him? Why is the ESM with huge resources not with him? Why are the grand fauji experts who shine on TV channels unable to get these TV hosts to take up the case of NFU on behalf of the Faujis? Every day these military giants wearing side caps, ties, some with medals, pontificate on matters that matter little to us in India, but their closeness to TV producers / anchors cannot get this subject on centre stage? Do they deserve a Col Mukul? Many scream and shout, and have become like political spokespersons, and the TV channels love them. Then why can they not force their paymasters to take up NFU as a campaign? 

2. That is what should appear in MVI when there is talk of NFU for armed forces. If the CDS / COSC and all the PSOs put together support NFU, then they must say so, because it will have the desired impact on the SC judges. All this rubbish about a matter being sub-judice is escapism. Presuming that serving people cannot talk on public platforms, what about the dozens of Think Tanks who can say whatever they want in public forums? If you want it and believe it is justifiable, then say it loudlay and repeatedly to make an impact and let the wave of that belief create ripples in the SC. Jantar mantar has lost its impact.

Social media and TV channels with podcasts are the path for getting what is due to us military personnel. Remember how painful it was to get Rations for Officers? India was possibly the last democracy to grant this to her military officers. 

3. Certainly we must not become like professional protesters who misbehave in public and cause huge inconveniences to citizens. But unless we tell the citizens who deavour Youtube podcasts, how will they realise the disservice being meted out to the Mukuls of India? Not one NGO, and there are hundreds flourishing with very powerful contacts with political leaders; have even bothered to offer their help. For them Fauji matters are best left to faujis, besides it does not get them the exposure they seek.

Thus, our retired leaders who have the ear of the public on TV channels and on Podcasts should volunteer and help Mukul, he will not ask for help, it must be given if we believe it is justified. We have left him to fight our battle all by himself. Is this not conduct unbecoming?