The Moral Dilemma

Lt Gen Avadhesh Prakash in the Dock
The media is all abuzz with the general’s impending court martial. The public outrage is understandable as it’s a common perception that the armed forces is the last bastion of honour and rectitude amidst this otherwise corrupt world. The guilt of the general will be ascertained by the court through its proceedings and one needs to be patient for the results before crucifying him. The whole episode has left a bad taste in the mouth, the reason being that it wasn’t handled properly with all the dithering in taking a decision and speculative statements being made by everyone. But I’d like to go something beyond all this superficiality and especially because of the fact that the general and me have had almost the same background in our military upbringing – a Sainik School , NDA product before getting our commission.
‘Service before Self’ is the credo of the NDA. During our period of growing up, this aspect was always drilled into us. However, as a cadet there were plenty of occasions when it was better to opt for ‘the easier wrong than the harder right’ to avoid the ridicule of one’s peers. Many of us went about it with no qualms of conscience as the ends justified the means! I wouldn’t say that I was different but I always took my call from my inner self – like I never considered ragging my juniors just because I’d been subjected to the maximum taunts/abuse during my junior terms( Was the shortest from our course in my squadron and stood out like a sore thumb whenever we’re in a fallin). I’ve had seniors who used to ask me as to why I did not find any excuse from getting away from all the bullshit and then proceed to give me ‘lift’ by taking me under their wings! I’ll never forget my Divisional officer’s words on my being made an appointment and I quote, ‘Rajeev, you’ve done fairly well in your course, you’ve shown an ability to come up trumps and show grace in the most trying times and you’re decent to a fault and we’ve decided to make you an appointment. Now show the others that we’ve been right’ unquote. I’d heard similar words from my Principal and masters when I was made a House Captain, years earlier at school.
And I must admit that I never went out of my way to champion my cause or curry favour with the authorities to get what I wanted. During my IPKF days, after returning from a hard deployment I was asked by the NOIC to write my own citation so that he could forward the same to get me the honours at the impending Republic day which I flatly refused to do. His parting advice was, ‘Rajeev you’ve to change in this dog-eats-dog world’ and took upon himself to do the needful. My NM(Gallantry) was the end result. As I was taught at home, my work had to be good always and recognition and honours would come my way. That has stood me in good stead to this day and I’ve no regrets about the way that my life has shaped up.
I’d like to believe that Gen Avadhesh Prakash’s parents were honourable people, his teachers at school and the instructors at the Academy, who nurtured him, were all honourable people, his wife is honourable and he’d definitely have told his children to do the right things always. If that be so and if all the allegations against him are right, why has he got into this muddle?