Sir,
This is in reference to the article “Honouring our World War-1 Heroes” published in DE dated January 11. Justice Katju is a high profile man in the legal fraternity of India. He has delivered many remarkable judgements while in the Judicial service. He has also commented on the corruption and the political interference in the judiciary. But what has prompted his feelings against the brave Indian soldiers of the First World War is beyond one’s imagination. To call these soldiers as Mercenaries or Hired Assassins is an insult to these soldiers who were also the sons of the soil. They should be honoured or not but they should not be insulted at least.
The author has very nicely expressed against the arguments of Justice Katju. Justice Katju has said that these soldiers would not have joined the Army under British rule. But this was not the army only where the Indians had joined.
In other departments like Police, Jails, education, railways, medical and all other departments the Indians were employed. Securing a service in British Government did not mean that a person had become anti Indian. They were also being utilised as per the requirement of the Colonial rulers just like the Indian soldiers were utilised as per their requirements may be for their internal purpose or for war with other countries.
Justice Katju has also argued that if they have joined the British army they have done so only for the sake of money. Even If they have done so they have not committed any sin as it is the duty of every person to feed his family. Even today in free India those who are seeking employment in the army, one of their purposes is to earn money to feed their families and make their lives comfortable.
Moreover, there was not any call from any Indian leaders for not joining the British Army. Indian National Congress and other leaders were also eager to support the British in war because they thought that it would further the cause of Indian Home Rule. It is also true that if these soldiers had not joined the British Army then the huge force of Indian National Army of Subhash Chander Bose would not have been there as most of the I.N.A soldiers were from these trained soldiers. There would also have been no army at the time of Independence and no retreat of the Pakistani army and Tribes had taken place in Kashmir in October, 1947.
Yours etc…..
D.R.Bhagat
Ekta Vihar Kunjwani.
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