Military reviewing range of traditions as 'colonial practices': Source

India’s military, a British-led force till the time of Independence, inherited the traditions and professional practices of the British armed services — with marked similarities such as navy captains “going down with the ship”; and infantry attacks on strong enemy positions being led by a junior officer.

India’s army, however, is now considering “doing away with British colonial legacy”, for which it “is essential to move away from the archaic and ineffective practice”.

At the Army Headquarters on Wednesday, Adjutant General Lt General Bansi Ponnappa chaired a discussion on whether to do away, or retain, a range of “colonial” practices and traditions. These are listed in a document according to a source who has reviewed it.

Under discussion were “customs and traditions”, army uniforms and accoutrements, and regulations in general.

Also being reviewed for change are the names of buildings, roads and establishments named after foreigners. This bears echoes of the renaming of roads in Delhi, such as Aurangzeb Road.

Business Standard did not receive any comments from the Army and Ministry of Defence till the time of going to print.

Also under examination on Wednesday were tried and tested leadership practices, such as the “grant of honorary commissions”. This creates the space for junior commissioned officers (JCOs), who have been promoted on merit from the junior-most recruit’s rank, to be granted an honorary commission — the equivalent rank of officer. This has proven to be a powerful motivational tool for JCOs.

The AG-chaired discussion is learnt to have suggested a review of the practice of carrying the coffin of a soldier or leader killed in the line of duty on a gun carriage. Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was carried on the weekend on a 123-year-old gun carriage. The army now wants this “colonial practice” reviewed.

The practice of affiliating Indian Army units with foreign (mainly British) units, based on hard battles fought together before Independence, is also under review. As are pre-Independence “battle honours” that the British awarded to Indian battalions and regiments that subdued “Indian states and freedom”.

Besides, India’s affiliation with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which pays for the upkeep of cemeteries where soldiers from various countries — including India — were laid to rest after being killed in battle, is also being scrutinised.

These include the Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland that houses the remains of soldiers killed in what a panel of eminent historians has voted as the most consequential battle of World War II. The CWGC has always paid for keeping these cemeteries in perfect condition. The army will have to decide whether it can take up the financial burden.

Also being reassessed are “officers’ mess procedures/traditions and customs”. In 2020, the government invoked “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) to halt the supply of tax-free foreign liquor to officers through the Canteen Stores Department.