Prof Javed Mughal
We experience myriads of comforts and joys, watch colourful programmes on TV, relish brisk walks in the breezy morning, taste the delicious dishes at the dining table three times a day and get to the market for romantic purchases only because all this is made possible by a young Army jawan clad in uniform, holding gun in the hands leaving his own life at stake, is standing on the guard for our safety on the border. We are alive because a soldier is ready to die at the hands of enemy; we enjoy among our children because a soldier is gulping down the bitter droughts of separation from his family; we enjoy the soothing warmth by the fireplace only when a soldier is ready to shiver on the Siachin Glacier and we relish sweet sleeps when this proud son of the soil is all awake on the Line of Control. The life of this entire nation is indebted to one soldier who has sacrificed his entire life for the well being of this country. He ensures law and order, maintains peace and security and generates a congenial atmosphere for the common masses to live comfortably. But the tragedy, which pains all those who have a rational mind to think and human heart to feel, is that we, sometimes in the fit of prejudice and bias, attribute all the worst to a soldier. The safety to our life is the by-product of the sufferings borne by these mealy-mouthed soldiers who never utter even a single note of protest even at the cannon’s mouth.
A soldier, outwardly looking very simple and sometimes unsocial, has multi-dimensional personality in himself. Sometimes he is seen while playing with his enemies at Atari LOC, sometimes he tries to win his enemy with amiable behavior, at times he talks with language of gun, and sometimes the same soldier who is supposed to be one to manage violence, destruction and death, can be seen with the tears rolling along his cheeks at his friends, colleagues or a countryman’s death.
Although he kills but it is not only he who does, it has rather been the practice even of all the religions to kill one to save the other; to kill the enemy to save the friend and to kill the unwanted to save the most wanted. If he does so, he is not on the wrong. It is not easy to muster the courage and nerve to kill other human beings. Soldiers are trained to acquire a streak of raw ruthlessness and brutality when the situation demands. Consequently, according to common perception, soldiers are supposed to be the tone-hearted and unsentimental fighters, totally impervious to emotional weaknesses. It is just not ‘soldierly’ to cry and shed tears like other mere mortals. But then, as Voltaire said, “Tears are the silent language of grief”. Grief is a fundamental sentiment and spares no one. At the same time, soldiers do not grieve by wailing, howling, weeping and even sobbing. Their grief finds expression not through tears but through their silent anguish. It is futile to say that soldiering is a profession. It is a commitment that every soldier undertakes with missionary zeal to defend his country. It is a matter of honour for a soldier to fight and win, whatever be the challenges and cost. It is a trait that becomes an inalienable part of every soldier’s character and provides motivational sustenance. Soldiers see themselves as the sole guardians of national security. Memories of reverses suffered during the Chinese aggression of 1962 still cause immense pain.
Despite the fact that ill-equipped and ill-clothed soldiers were not to be blamed for the failure. Scars of defeat and retreat in the face of the Chinese onslaught continue to haunt any soldier of the time till date. Inability to dominate and crush forces inimical to national sovereignty makes soldiers feel miserable. They become restless and always look for an opportunity to redeem their lost honour. The worst thing for a soldier is to lose a ‘buddy’. Poignant notes of the ‘Last Post’ send shivers down the spine of even the toughest soldiers. Tears shed in the memory of a fallen comrade are invariably accompanied by a sense of guilt and helplessness. Many tend to blame themselves for their failure to save their colleague’s life. This is the reason why arms are reversed while bidding final farewell to a friend. Military as an institution sustains itself on the trust-loyalty equation existing between the leadership and the rank and file. Trust is the expectancy that the followers can rely on a leader’s immaculate personal conduct and professional competence. It flourishes on the credibility that a leader enjoys in his command.
Soldiers willingly repose faith in a leader in the belief that he would remain incorruptible and morally upright. When military leaders indulge in decadent activities and corrupt practices, soldiers start wondering whether such leaders deserve their trust and confidence. They get disillusioned and feel let down by the leadership that they had trusted unquestioningly. They cry out in anguish as they find that their icons of morality are unworthy of their trust.
Soldiers’ dedication to duty, loyalty to the nation and willingness for the supreme sacrifice are driven less by material considerations and more by an overwhelming urge to earn love and respect of their countrymen. Therefore, they tend to be very sensitive to adverse publicity and feel betrayed when the national media ignores their contribution and highlights a few aberrations. Worse, Army’s prompt action against transgressing officers is never recognized. Soldiers do not question subjecting the military to public scrutiny. However, they want it to be done in an objective and balanced manner. Soldiers doing duty in remote and uncongenial areas feel terribly pained when a few acts of misdemeanor and indiscretion are cited to paint a negative picture of the services as a whole. They wonder if the countrymen understand their trials and tribulations. They become sentimental for the nation’s empathy and recognition.
Although during the last two decades, particularly since the eruption of active terrorism in the country, certain doubts and questions regarding the integrity of our Indian Army have cropped up in the minds of critics and observers keeping in view the unchecked infiltration into Indian territory, yet it can partly be ascribed to their miscalculation of the situations and circumstances. Their officers may largely be responsible for it. But on the whole the Army jawan’s first and foremost motive is to come forward to the defence of the honour of their nation. Difficult is to estimate the privations an Army Jawan undergoes on the top of Siachen Glacier, from a comfortable distance. Military is a social organization, albeit highly structured and disciplined. It consists of living human beings with their normal share of sentiments and idiosyncrasies. Soldiers also emote and go through phases of elation and sorrow. It is just that they are trained to keep their emotions under control lest it affects their performance in crisis situations. Their anguish remains muted due to their strong sense of loyalty to the country and to uphold military honour. For that reason, soldiers need to be handled with sensitivity and compassion.
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