As a popular pastime, police-bashing is a fairly easy and engaging activity. Though it is a universal phenomenon, it is particularly popular in India. It requires little or no experience, or for that matter knowledge, for anyone to run down the police, especially the Indian Police Service. Your credentials are doubly strengthened if you are a veteran of India’s Armed Forces.
“The Others” by Major Gaurav Arya, an online piece on India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the role of the Indian Police Service (IPS) in these organizations, casts a very interesting light. Not on the subject matter, but on the pathology and world view (more like tunnel vision) of what I call the Indian military mind.
It reeks of ignorance and contempt in equal measure. And that too from the pen of a military veteran with just about six years’ experience in the Indian Army, where his senior-most responsibility was leading a company-level formation.
Writers like Major Arya, with their sweeping generalizations, create an impression that as an institution, the Indian Armed Forces are perhaps better than the country they serve and protect. It is a belief that they have probably imbibed as an integral part of their colonial DNA.
It is not just Major Arya, but a larger dedicated tribe of military veterans that does endless self-glorification that more often than not crosses over into the expression of outright contempt for most civilian institutions, including the political class, the bureaucracy and, especially, the police.
Reading Major Arya, it appears that humility and an open mind are not regarded as essential traits for officers in the Indian Army. Nothing else would explain the sweeping generalizations he presents as insight and the even more sweeping prescriptions that he suggests as the way forward for redesigning India’s internal-security architecture.
A dedicated tribe of military veterans does endless self-glorification that more often than not crosses over into the expression of outright contempt for most civilian institutions, including the political class, the bureaucracy and, especially, the police
Since he makes a fetish of traditions and history, first a bit of history. Barring the Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Railway Protection Force, all other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are post-independence creations by stalwarts of the Indian Police Service (IPS). They are the ones who conceptualized, conceived and nurtured these organizations in their early years.
Major Arya’s father served as a company commander in the early years of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The Border Security Force (BSF) is impossible to imagine without the contributions of K F Rustomji and Ashwini Kumar, and it is similarly so for other organizations. So IPS leadership has been an integral part of the history of these organizations.
These organization have grown by leaps and bounds during the past two decades. The CAPFs numbered around 200,000 in 1990; today they are nearly a million. However, the IPS cadre strength has not gone up proportionately because successive governments preferred to recruit a dedicated cadre for each of these forces. As a result, the IPS has a numerically negligible presence in these organizations. For example, the 4,500-strong officer cadre of the BSF has fewer than 50 IPS officers serving.
But successive governments have thought it fit to place IPS officers in key positions. The reasons for that are not too hard to understand.
These organizations in essence have an auxiliary role. In peacetime they assist the state police and civil administration in various duties ranging from elections to riot control, disaster relief and counterinsurgency operations.
India’s constitutional scheme and federal structure are designed in a way that the civil administration and the police must necessarily play leading roles in meeting these challenges. The presence of the IPS ensures that there is a commonality of purpose shaped by the camaraderie of service, and the CAPFs perform this auxiliary role with minimum fuss and friction.
This is not something that an Army veteran like Major Arya, with his ingrained emphasis on the colonial paltan (battalion) over profession, can be easily expected to understand. The daily demands of administering India cannot be held hostage to regimental rivalries.
The broad points Major Arya makes to advocate the exclusion of the IPS are as follows. According to him, a vast majority of IPS officers do not have any experience with counterinsurgency, internal security, or anti-Naxal (anti-communist) operations. Therefore they are unfit to lead these organizations. If only Major Arya had paid attention to his own father’s career in the IPS while growing up, he would have been cured of his misconceptions about the exposure of IPS officers.
Has he heard of the Greyhounds, an elite anti-Naxal force created and led to brilliant operational success by IPS officers of the Andhra Pradesh cadre? Or the stellar work done by IPS officers in combating militancy in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northeast? I don’t know how Major Arya defines internal security. Do elections and large melas (festival gatherings) form part of internal-security challenges? If so, then I can claim some exposure to internal security – as can every other IPS officer in the country.
As a former infantry officer, Major Arya seems to think the ability to lead platoon- and company-level formations in combat is all that is required to assume leadership positions in the CAPFs. These skills are undoubtedly important, but they are a small part of the role performed by these organizations. So to suggest that only IPS officers with a proven track record of platoon- and infantry-level tactical operations are fit to lead the CAPFs is a gross oversimplification. And it is a prescription that is not followed even by the Indian Army.
Not every brave tactical leader makes a great general. In essence, Major Arya is diagnosing a non-existent disease. Even today IPS officers do stints ranging from five to seven years at a time in the CAPFs at the level of deputy or full inspector general before they are considered for top leadership positions. That is around the same time Major Arya served in the Indian Army, which he apparently believes is sufficient to qualify as one of the country’s foremost television “defense experts.”
I wish our military veterans would devote more energy to carrying out much-needed reforms in the Armed Forces
Here we come to the so-called solutions that Major Arya proposes for the problems of the CAPFs. He has two options, both of which are variations on the same theme. Both involve opening more avenues for army officers in these organizations. It is not sympathy for the plight of CAPF officers that inspires Major Arya. It is a self-serving desire to find avenues for sidelined officers of the Indian Army that drives his analysis.
One cannot help but wonder if these thoughts have the tacit support of a section of serving officers in the Indian Army. I wish our military veterans would devote more energy to carrying out much-needed reforms in the Armed Forces. They may go blue in the face telling us that all is hunky dory in the Indian military but even a casual observer would realize that before pointing fingers at other institutions, the Armed Forces need to fix the roots within.
Every ill and failing that they love to point out in civil society – corruption, nepotism, incompetence – are present to varying degrees in the Armed Forces too. It is purely out of respect that civil society refrains from being openly critical of the Armed Forces.
However, if India’s military veterans are oblivious to their own flaws and observe no restraint and professional courtesy in criticizing others, then they too will face many uncomfortable questions from the rest of us.
What is being done to curb institutional corruption in the Military Engineering Services, Ordnance Corps and Army Service Corps? Is it true that regimental rivalries play havoc with the system of promotions in the Indian Army? Is it true that officers use all kinds of influence to evade postings in difficult areas? Does the army run golf courses for national-security reasons? I could go on and on.
I would like to believe that Major Arya is a patriot. However, it does not absolve him of the responsibility to do more research and show greater awareness of India’s constitutional scheme and national-security challenges before making such half-baked attempts to increase military turf masquerading as serious analysis of national security.
excellent analysis by one of the finest brains in the IPS. It is high time that the so-called ‘security experts’ started researching properly before rushing to put their foot in the mouth while airing views on serious matters of internal security.
Intresting read…….CAPF being explained by two different yardsticks which are as similar as chalk and cheese …and that too in their own way…….But hope to hear a true analysis from an insider now……Based on data…..not on assumption which is evident in MGA or AS article……..May be SKS of BSF will take lead
Someone like Gaurav Arya needed this article. I hope he remembers to take his foot out of his mouth before his next utterance
More death will be expected to the stone throwers and other peaceful protestors.
Along predicted lines …. the inferiority complex of the Khakhi vis a vis Olive Greens is well known..and in this piece, in trying to aim his sights on Gaurav Arya, he’s conviniently trashed the Military Veterans too…!
The day they can handle Internal Security Duties as per their training and especially what they get paid for, and not run to get Army for Aid to Civil Authorities at the drop of a hat….and can justify the promotions and the perks of life in khaki, probably folks with 6 years in Olive Greens will not voice their opinion and pass judgement over khakhis with 20+ years of service…!
Till then, these middlemen of power and priveleges in Khakis beter shut up and listen to 6+ years of Olive Greens who decidedly better handle the affairs of Khaki, far better and far competently than the whole lot of them…!
Enough Said…!
I appreciate….
The rebuttal by an IPS officer to an article by a Major makes for interesting reading….. not incisive or erudite….but definitely interesting primarily because of its petty and peevish tone. It is amazing that any call for introspection is met with such virulence at a personal level by the author…. It is that which has prompted this comment…especially when the Army has repeatedly cleaned up after the Police….Panchkula affair with the Dera and Rohtak affair during the Jat agitation come to mind…
However, the icing on the cake is the Police talking on corruption in the Army….
I sincerely hope that this piece is not representative of the IPS point of view…our country deserves better…reasoned arguments are welcome….getting personal indicates an inability to present a reasoned argument…..that’s what makes this argument peevish and petty
Sir only three honest questions:
1.Why CAPF should not led by its own cadre? Isn’t the best solution?
2.Why IPS officers don’t join CAPF from Coy Cdr level while they start from ASP/ACP nd similar ranks in civil police(both in centre and states)?
3.Why in all CAPF most of the DIG post reserved for IPS are vacant while above DIG level picture is totally different?
Sir we should not b a hypocrite in uniform since it doesn’t suit.
IPS look for appointments at DIG level only at Delhi….. Rest all in field are vacant or unsubsrcibed……Why…no mullah there..
a nation is defined by emblems or institutions traditionally. from past thousands of years to the modern ages. and foremost in the institutional setup is not the political leadership or the police forces. it has been and will continue to be defence forces. from super powers to small neutral nations the showcasing of national pride and presence has gone synonymous with that of it’s defence force.
and so is the case with our great nation. it is highly inappropriate of any Indian to speak in this tone about it’s own defence force.
a professional organisation definitely requires to analyse it’s shortcomings and flaws as being a part of the same society at large does not shield it from the diluting social standards. but that apart it is equally imperative that all citizens are sensitive and understand the role of defence forces rather than getting into competition with them .
issues of corruption and accountability is better left to the people to decide and a noble profession like defence does not need lessons from his gentleman I am sure the police forces themselves are doing a great job mostly and what gaurav meant was I am sure is to give his analysis to make it more efficient and responsible.
so instead of a counter personal attack sadly it is better to elucidate on the issues brought out . finally all uniform personnel are working for the country right ?
Just food for thought
1. In How many instances has the CAPF Officer ( and not JCO/ Inspector / Equivalent rank) has led the operations in the areas of responsibility like Naxal infested areas etc. I only remember Commandant Cheetah in the recent past who actually was of that mettle. Test of time has shown absolutely missing leadership in ground operations IN a anyjn INSURGENCY environment by the CAPF which has led to heavy casualties of their men.
2. Our Armed Forces have been the last bastion of credible govt machinery whether in actual operations or during AID to civil authorities like flood relief in Chennai and other parts of country , making railway bridges like in Mumbai, making bridges in Delhi during Common Wealth games to cover up for shortfall in promises made to Common Wealth sports events by corrupt politicians and save face for our citizens etc.
How many such contributions by CAPF? Can we ensure this FORCE has similar high standards of discipline and credible delivery to the nation?
Please read and think before fanning any wild emotional thoughts about the article by Mr Abhinav Kumar
Brilliant ! I fully agree. With the respect for the Army that it deserves, I must say that its offficers are not the panacea for all ills. The police have a very special role to play which the Army is neither ttrained nor equipped nor mentally conditioned to fulfill.
Mr Kumar, you rightly mention the lack of criticism for the armed forces due to the respect they command among the civilian population. And rightfully lament the lack of the same respect for the police force.
Doesn’t this imbalance tell you anything? This respect isn’t given out of charity, and certainly not extracted at gunpoint. The people respect what they see.
Show me any upright, honest citizen (I would like to think I am) who feels secure around a policeman. This is in stark contrast to the feeling of security we get around a fauji, even though it is not his task to look after my security.
The only feeling the average policeman commands from us is contempt and fear. The average policeman, commanded and groomed by the fine IPS Cadre.
So you can rave and rant about the views of Maj Arya and point fingers at veterans, but what you need to do is introspect. Introspect honestly.
The fact that a serving senior IPS officer can express his disdain for the armed forces in an open forum, while a serving military officer will not, speaks volumes about the discipline in the two organisations.
Interesting to find that we are being discussed at last! Where from here? We are perhaps the only lot who don khaki and OG at the same time. This, to my mind, is the root of all that is not so well. Auxiliary role for some, why? Mission mandate for others, why? In hurry to prove one’s point we are generally neglecting the vision created by country’s security apparatus at the time of raising of respective forces. All was generally well in those formative years and OG as well as khaki were operating shoulder to shoulder and mixing rather well withn the setup of BSF, ITBP or elsewhere. Subsequently with raising of stakes and inherent weaknesses of both police and army, they turned CAPF in to a laboratory of their experiments because for them, here they were comparatively safe. Safe from fallouts of their failed experiments, safe from the internal strifes of politics and bureaucracy, safe from direct responsibility of their repeated blunders.
I have seen some of the best IPS Officers of past as well as this generation. So, I have had an opportunity to see some of the best OG minds from close quarters. With folded hands, I would like to ask both the categories-do they remember some similar examples from the CAPF’s cadre? I am aware of their answers. Even if yes, by a remote chance, numbers will be much lesser and few in between. Point is, do these brilliant officers ever made a plan to bring up at least a fine line of officers from CAPF cadre? Like their own organizations, did they ever worry to set up and continue with best traditions in these forces? At least we don’t remember generally except few rare pieces of such organisational brilliance scattered in years.
That’s another sore point which form the basis of such debates. This or that, for we the CAPF cadre officers it’s always a Hobson’s choice. Why are we made to suffer between this vulgar desire of control by the two behemoth section of nation’s security set up? You all are intelligent and widely travelled and so must have seen the similar setups in advanced countries. What stops you from breaking the colonial hangover of controlling "a big native’s army" by a selected few "goro ki officers corps"? And till such time that you don’t decide to handover what is due to the CAPF’s cadre, you are riding a boat in the rough Sea, invested with lowered mast and creaking wood.
Do I sound pessimist? May be to some but I am a hard-core and compulsive optimist. We are indeed blessed by having some of the greatest persons as founders of our democracy. My question is simple and straight to both OG and Khaki brigades: what about the legimate career progession aspirations of CAPF cadre? Where did you find them lacking in assuming the leadership challenges of their forces? You all are yelling and shouting about your respective skills, for God’s sake, use those to make your respective setups world class.
Believe you us, we will never let down our country.
This piece reeks of an arrogant mind . There is nothing new in this article. The writer is factually wrong on many counts and the piece is definitely not in good taste …….irony is police officer talking of eradicating corruption in Army.
The article seems unnecessarily vitriolic because Major Arya does not appear to be a true representation of what the army is all about. Every serving force is vulnerable to cupidity and corruption. Khakhi or olive attire can only shine with personal excellence and integrity. The army has a defined role, so does the police. When an army officer gets inducted into police or the other way round there is no cause for flaunting superiority.
In the police, I have not served in a paramilitary force like, for instance, the BSF. Hence I cannot authoritatively comment on the various aspects projected by the author. And in that respect, my views may be incomprehensive.
The bottom line, however is that humanity and humaneness should prevail whatever be the ‘calling’.
Mr Abhinav,
Read your rebuttal with the disdain it deserves. Tone and tenor of the article is disgusting to say the least. It is indeed shocking that you have the audacity to express this kind of rotten thoughts in a public forum. Who has give you the liberty to comment on Indian Armed Forces. And are you the self styled spokesperson for IPS.
Please remember that police and armed forces have a well defined role to play in our democracy. So do not spread canard and cause the imbalance in otherwise cordial relations amongst police and armed forces.
Jai Hind.
Ur first line itself a proof that u hav never even entered in a CAPF Bn or in a Coy.Can u plz tell me in facts hw many instances u observed that an operation by a CAPF has been done without led by an officer.Any ops CASO, SADO, ROP, ADP etc troops of CAPF doesn’t have permission to move from COB without officer.In borders areas Patrols are led by officers only whether it is LAC or IB.Dont u know the role of NDRF in disaster relief and hw one can forget the role of ITBP in Uttarakhand disaster relief in 2014(This nation has forget about the supreme sacrifice of Shri Nityanand Gupta Second in command,ITBP during this disaster. For whom they r dying).
CAPF have esteem regard for defence forces for their sacrifices as well as they recognise the role of IPS for civil policing but their nature of job doest suit CAPF at all. Hence, let the CAPF led by their own cadres who live and die with their troops not by those who r outsourced fr certain cooling off period.
The police-bashing is really a very easy activity but not for pastime but due to indian policing attributes itself. Have the IPS officers ever pondered upon the reason behind pathetic policing in India.
Major Arya just touched their nerve and they started crying.
As a IPS they considered themselves the most literate and rarest breed of country , they must be aware of the rampant corruption and indolency in indian police system which they are heading.
Among the most corrupt country of Asia India stand first and indian police system is biggest contributer to bring the nation in this Hall of Shame! The bribery rate in indian police system is 52 % where as in China it is 12%. Is it bashing for pastime? It is the bitter truth of IPS functioning. This truth depicts the reason that why IPS are being reproached. Indian police system is most corrupt system in country even political parties comes next to it. The Armed Forces comes at last. This is the glory which indian police system contributed nation’s Hall of Shame.
Not only so, the Indian police is least trusted organisation in country and Armed Forces , obviously the most. Here also , the Indian parliamentrians comes next to police. The Babushahi rest in their belief to keep the police and themselves at arm’s length from public to whom they supposed to serve.
IPS association must be aware about 181 helpline service for women by Delhi govt which Delhi govt intentionally kept it outside the domain of Delhi police because of the incredulity between police and public.
The lack of trust and fear of police is not local or limited nor it is episodic, incidental, or temporary. It is the countrywide phenomenon because of its worst establishment, corruption , indolency ,coziness with politicians , abuse of power and complete lack of sensitivity.
Things are so bad still our nation stands firmly , only because of the few organisations which continues to keep the trust and faith of it’s nationals and Armed Forces proved to be most trustworthy .
According to NCRB data only 5 -6%
Of rape cases is being reported in this country . One of major reason of non reporting about such a gruesome crime is the fear and terror of the Indian police which has imbibed in general public. This is the way IPS is serving the country.
It was the generosity of Maj Arya that he did not quote a single incident about corruption and delinquency of indian police . Although he showered lot of respect for them about their brilliancy and erudite. But this gentleman servant of nation started tauntering Armed Forces from his initial paras. This intolerance reflects his biased attitude , colonial culture and lack of knowledge.
Being biased and enjoying the colonial legacy is unique constituent of IPS. Their coziness and assuming self as super Indian is root cause of corruption in police services. Maj Arya simply suggested the way to give CAPFs to its genuine due and this was the main cause of agony of IPS lobby .
The BSF , SSB and other CAPFs which were raised post independence is truly brainchild of IPS. But now it is also truth that these are being treated as a rented-soldiers of nation due to apathy of its bosses . These Forces might have been raised to strengthen the internal security and safeguard of nation but it is used mostly to safeguard the interest if IPS. It is in the same pattern as Britishers raised and accomodate many indians in pre-colonial institutions.
It is amazing that this gentleman states that presence of IPS in CAPFs is to ensure commonality of purpose. It is the brazen logic with sheer ignorance . It is not the commonality of purpose but to utilise the CAPFs as commodity for IPS. This gentleman may be aware of literal meaning of comradeship but must be unaware of its real essence. Comradeship never comes from sitting directly at a peaceful post of DIG but being felt by standing with their men on ground.
I wish he will spare some time to serve with his own men of state cadre instead of caring about CAPFs.
Maj Arya just hit a raw nerve of IPS and this gentleman started digressing from real issues by maligning the Armed Forces. They use same tactic to keep their hold firm in CAPFs as the Britishers used in dilly – dallying to grant independence to India. Their commonality and comradeship is reflected by their passion to keep the tag "IPS" in their epaulette as to distinguish themselves from intangible respective cadre officers.
Indian police at till continue to be governed by colonial police act of 1861 , only the name is changed from Indian Imperial Service to Indian Police Service in 1948. So it is obvious to have colonial mindset in these super breeds.
His article comes down with bitter fact that there is absolute lack of Indianness in Indian Police Services.
Dear you gave more respect than needed to this colonial ruler by calling him gentleman.His article doesn’t show he should be addressed gentleman
Mr Abhinav,
Mr Vishnu Mani Tripathi has given an excellent rebuttal to your article.
Let’s see if you can defend yourself.
If the citizens of this country read your article then let me assure you that you are in for a big trouble.
Hope you will get rid of your foot in mouth disease soon.
ArdhSainik – Lifeline of Motherland you make a good point in that, each of the fledgling forces after being blooded and developed need to be led by there own rather than lateral inductions..inter service rivalry is passe’ – all work towards a strong nation..
The reputation of Assam Rifles commanded by army officers is for anybody to guess
With full powers they have not been able to crush militancy in Manipur and Nagalandl and
Militancy in Tripura and Punjab was put to an end by IPS officers only
This is received from another forum.
Sh Anubhav Kumar has indeed written well and batted for the beleaguered IPS , however he can’t ,try as he may wish away the inadequacies of our Police forces, it does not need a military veteran to say this and it does not require a debate , the Common man is the best judge and let’s leave it at that.
1. He calls exposure to CAPF at DIG RK before coming as IG experience!!
May I ask,Why not as coy Cdr in valley instead of DIG in Delhi or Bengaluru!!
2. The generation which created BSF consisted of old British time policemen who went through the trials and tribulations of the Crown Police and as he rightly said they created and officered these Forces at the highest level as their own cadres were not Senior,enough and were officered by ECOs who were veterans of 1965 and some of 1971.
3. So what is the purpose of IPS still holding the highest posts ,50 yrs from Raising did they not lay the right foundation or is it a good parking ground and a lucrative place for holding on to coveted apppintments at highest levels.
4. I can’t speak for the figures but thankfully it’s only 50 and who are these 50 – The DG, Addl DGs, IGs of Frontier HQs and they come as DIGs in their promotion zone and continue the golden run.
5. Belittling a Coy Cdr or Pl CDR and ridiculing his experience is like shooting oneself in the foot.All real soldiering is done at this level all senior offrs relate to these tenures and relate to the work done on ground as a yard stick for all future planing and ops. Army offrs have the advantage of rising up through the hard path getting their hands dirtied and bloodied exactly what Maj Arya was referring to .
6. If the IPS is so well trained and confident than produce IPS offrs who can command BSF coys on LC in Gurez and Tungdhar and ones who will lead a CRPF Coy in Chatisgarh. Then talk and lay claim to the higher appointments . That sadly will not happen and another generation of CAPF Cadre offrs will retire as max IGs leaving the SR ranks to the IPS.
7. Also the IPS OFFR rightly said DG Arya commanded an ITBP Coy if so ! he is a rightful claimant to the DGs post and there are just a handful of states where the IPS does any real policing in terms of CI exposure and the intrinsic trg and role makes the IPS bureaucrats in uniform leaving the real policing to the subsidiary cadre.
8. Unfortunately this writer doesn’t have the liberty and freedom to flaunt his photo and credentials in this piece but is a second generation Army offr and his father fought the 65 war with Army and 71 onwards with BSF and did a majority of his service in CI in J and K and NE with the BSF.
Police violence will beget more violence in a spiraling beyond control of vicious karmic cycle.
The state of law and order in country speaks volumes of the competence of the elite and God’s Own IPS.. Full stop
https://www.facebook.com/MajorGauravArya/posts/1593929497369268
https://www.dailyo.in/lite/politics/central-armed-police-forces-bsf-troops-manpower-misuse-ips-army-troops-funds/story/1/21390.html?__twitter_impression=true
As usual another IPS waxing eloquent on the positives of helicopter induction of IPS into all the CAPFs. What’s the requirement of piloting only the higher ranks without touch with ground realities. Moreover the high casualty rates in CAPF Maoists encounters lays threadbare the arguments of excellent raising of these units. It’s the training that matters and CAPFs performance shows where the problem lies. Walk the talk is what matters. Please do that.
Moreover the author keeps rubbing in the fact that Maj Arya has just six years service. A poor attempt at trying to rub Arya’s inexperience and maybe the authors experience. But the fact of the matter is that the language used in article show the immature mindset at work. Pity is that this is the actual state of affairs of this nation where vested interests are out to protect their turf at all costs.
Well said from the horses mouth…