Congress Leader Raises Concerns Over Resignation of Army Chief and Controversial Promotions
J.B. Kripalani Questions Nehru’s Response to Resignation of Army Chief and Army Promotions
In a recent development, Congress leader J.B. Kripalani has put forward an Adjournment Motion regarding the reported resignation of Army Chief, followed by potential resignations from other service chiefs. This motion has reopened discussions on the controversial resignation of General K.S. Thimayya, a former Chief of Army Staff, and the subsequent reaction from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the Lok Sabha. Moreover, it has also shed light on the contentious issue of promotions within the Indian Army.
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The Lok Sabha witnessed the resonance of General Thimayya’s resignation on September 1, 1959, when J.B. Kripalani raised the Adjournment Motion highlighting the gravity of the situation arising from the reported resignation of the Army Chief, which could potentially lead to the resignations of other service chiefs.
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Nehru was unavailable to address the House on that day as he was receiving Pakistan’s President, General Ayub Khan, at the Palam airport. Consequently, the matter was deferred to the following day amidst intense debates.
Nehru’s Explanation and Defense in the Lok Sabha
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When Nehru finally spoke in the Lok Sabha, he disclosed that General Thimayya had met him a week earlier to discuss various issues. Nehru addressed the subject of dissatisfaction with recent promotions in the Army and said he had gotten a good response from the Army Chief of Staff. He vehemently denied any favoritism or partisanship in the promotions, dismissing the allegations of political considerations influencing the process.
Surprising Request for Withdrawal of Resignation
Surprisingly, Nehru admitted to being taken aback when he received Thimayya’s letter of resignation shortly after their meeting. However, he convinced the Army Chief to withdraw his resignation, emphasizing Thimayya’s differences with the then Defence Minister, V.K. Krishna Menon, were merely “temperamental.” Nehru went on to praise Menon, expressing his lack of concordance for Thimayya’s resignation.
Opposition Criticizes Nehru’s Response
The opposition members, including N.G. Ranga and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, questioned Nehru’s stance. Ranga asserted that Nehru had congratulated the wrong person, if he disagreed with the resignation, while Vajpayee suggested Thimayya should have simply resigned. Nehru defended his position, reiterating his appreciation for the services of General Thimayya and other senior officers. He emphasized that his request for withdrawal of the resignation was not an endorsement of the act itself.
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Nehru’s Defense and Appreciation of Senior Army Officers
During his speech, Nehru also delved into the controversy surrounding promotions to the rank of Lieutenant General within the Army. He highlighted a case where one officer, despite being fully qualified, had not commanded an Infantry Division.
The Defence Minister suggested promoting the second and third candidates, while providing the first candidate with an opportunity to gain the necessary experience by commanding an Infantry Division. Nehru explained that this decision aimed to prevent the loss of seniority for the deserving officer.
In conclusion, J.B. Kripalani’s Adjournment Motion has brought the resignation of the Army Chief and the issue of promotions in the Indian Army back into the limelight. The debates in the Lok Sabha have raised concerns about Nehru’s response to Thimayya’s resignation and have drawn attention to the controversy surrounding promotions within the military. The situation demands a thorough re-examination to ensure transparency and fairness in the armed forces.
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