By Karan Thapar

I can’t understand why the Vice-Chief of the Army has apologised but I do think Sushma Swaraj should have done so – loudly, publicly, unequivocally and in the most cringing of terms. The fact that events have played out the other way is proof that many of our politicians trample over the Army’s pride and dignity and get away with it. My father, an Army Officer, used to call them ‘damn dhoti-wallas’. Fifty years later their clothes may have changed but few officers would regard politicians with greater sympathy. This story about Sushma Swaraj explains why.

Last saturday this paper quoted Lt. Gen. Pattabhiraman, the Vice-Chief, to have said : “Ideally, we would like to have gentlemen and not lady officers at the unit level. Feedback from lower formations suggests that comfort levels with lady officers are low. We can do without them.” Even though the Army claimed the General had been quoted out of context, these sentiments brought forth a storm of protest from Mrs. Swaraj. Before I prove that she neither understood the General nor knew what she was talking about, let’s pause and consider what the Vice-Chief is actually alleged to have said.

“Ideally”, he said – i.e. in perfect conditions – the Army would like male officers “at the unit level”. Note the language – he was speaking ideally and about the unit level. The unit, by the way, is the Army’s preferred fighting formation. So he wasn’t talking generally and he wasn’t talking about all the different groups or formations in which the Army operates. Secondly, “feedback from lower formations” suggests that men feel uncomfortable with women officers. Clearly the General meant jawans. And, let’s be honest, which jawan facing enemy fire would feel secure with a woman in command? Frankly, to even think otherwise is silly. So when General Pattabhiraman concluded “we can do without them” he meant the Army can do without women in fighting units. The jawans would not want them there.

Now, let’s turn to the outpouring of criticism from Mrs. Swaraj. “It is a reflection of the working of the Army and its mindset. If I was the Defence Minister, I would have called the Vice-Chief and told him, ‘we can do without you, you can go’.” Frankly, I’m amazed at the sheer audacity of her comments.

First, Sushma Swaraj clearly failed to understand what the Vice-Chief said. Had she paused to consider his carefully chosen phrases she would have realised he didn’t say the Army doesn’t want women officers nor was he speaking ill of them. But, beyond that, how dare Mrs. Swaraj presume to talk of “the working of the Army and its mindset”? Pray what does she know of either? If anything, the phrase ‘mindset’ applies more readily to her party. And let me assure her that if it’s a choice between the Army and the BJP, Indians would choose the Army first – always and every time.

Now consider what she went on to say : “The questions being raised about practical problems are only excuses. Women today are capable of doing any work.” Are they? And are practical problems only excuses? Could Sushma Swaraj handle a rifle, face the enemy and fire fearlessly to kill? If words are bullets may be but not with real ammunition and Pakistani soldiers staring down the barrel of her gun.

Mrs. Swaraj may be foolish enough to make ridiculous claims but ask the millions of service wives and daughters what they think. Or the sisters and mothers whose brothers and sons have left home to fight the enemy – often never to return. Would any of them share these sentiments?

This is why I cannot understand General Pattabhiraman’s apology. He should have left the BJP to sink in Sushma’s silliness. But then, unlike her, he’s probably a gentleman. Perhaps, in true Army tradition, he stepped in to take the blame and let the lady off the hook.

Well, I’m only an Army son and certainly not a gentleman. So Mrs. Swaraj can’t expect the same generosity from me. I have a word of advice for her – and all the other politicians equally prone to say foolish things. Several of them, to be honest, are Congressmen or Communists. Don’t pick on the Army because soldiers can’t hit back. Furthermore, don’t ceaselessly prattle or jump to foolish conclusions because political correctness has overwhelmed you. If you want others to take you seriously, think before you speak. In fact, sometimes it’s better not to speak at all.