Pragya Singh Thakur’s controversial remarks about former Joint Commissioner of Police and Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was killed in a chance encounter with the terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, had a disturbing fallout. Pragya Thakur’s supporters as well as some independent observers questioned the Ashok Chakra award given to Hemant Karkare. Sample some of the tweets:
The only man who really, truly deserved the Ashok Chakra for 26/11 was Tukaram Omble. The honour is given for displaying extraordinary courage, not for getting killed without even firing a shot.
— sushant sareen (@sushantsareen) April 19, 2019
And Karkare did not fire one single bullet. How the hell can he be credited with combating terrorists? https://t.co/Gd992pWG3c
— MadhuPurnima Kishwar (@madhukishwar) April 19, 2019
My full respect to Hemant Karkare… But I am not convinced of he being given gallantry award Ashok Chakra? I think he was was killed in a chance encounter with terrorists.. Where was act of Gallantry? I can not forget he torturing Col Purohit?
— Col Ashok; Veteran (@ashokkmrsingh) April 19, 2019
Recently, the mother of late Major Akshay Girish, who was killed in action in the Nagrota encounter, sought a review of the award of ‘Mention-in-Despatches’ for a higher gallantry award. Fifty-seven years ago, in the 1962 India-China War, two of the three Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees were Prisoners of War, which raises serious questions about the award.
For long, there have been rumblings within the armed forces with allegations that the system under which medals, gallantry awards and special pension to battle casualties are decided is flawed. These rumblings have now found their way into the social media. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the armed forces must seize this opportunity to bring about reforms and transparency.
The problem is not unique to Indian armed forces. America too witnessed numerous exposés on false awards and claims in the last four decades before it finally brought reforms and transparency into its system.
The award procedure
In India, the procedure laid down by the MoD for deciding the gallantry awards seems to be fool proof, at least on the face of it. However, like with all systems, the problem occurs in execution with human factors in full play.
In respect of the armed forces, a case for the gallantry award is initiated by the unit and forwarded to the service headquarters with recommendations of all commanders in the chain of command, immediately after the act of gallantry is performed. All such proposals are then considered by the Awards Committee at service headquarters before the proposals are forwarded to the MoD with the approval of the respective Chiefs. In practice, these recommendations are made twice a year — in March and August — for declaration of the list of awardees on Independence Day and Republic Day, respectively.
Also read: Mother questions Army’s Shaurya Chakra process, says ‘unsung hero better than insulted one’
In respect of civilians, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) receives recommendations from all state/Union Territory governments, central ministries/departments, Central Armed Police Forces, and Railway Protection Force etc. A sub-committee in the MHA goes through the recommendations and forwards them to the MoD with the approval of the Union home secretary.
Recommendations are then considered by the Central Honours and Awards Committee comprising Raksha Mantri, three Service Chiefs and the Defence Secretary in respect of military personnel, while Home Secretary is one of the members for the cases of civilian citizens.
Thereafter, recommendations of the committee are submitted for approval of the Prime Minister and the President, followed by their announcement on the occasion of the Republic Day and the Independence Day.
Shortcomings in the system
Gallantry awards have been an essential feature of combat since time immemorial. It recognises individual courage and also adds to the prestige of the unit. The criteria for various awards are too generic, which leads to varied interpretations.
There are no procedures laid down in terms of an inquiry that records the gallant act with formal evidence. The judgement is subjective and begins with the citation, which is a brief account of the act of gallantry, made by the unit. In a regimented system like ours, the units strive to get maximum gallantry awards. This leads to exaggeration and false claims. Commanders in the chain do try and strike a balance but also succumb to formation and regimental loyalties, and personal glory. More personnel under their supervision with awards increases their own chances of getting an award.
Also read: GD Bakshi a war hero or not? What Vistara & others need to know of Indian military awards
Moreover, the system does not allow them to foreclose the recommendation even if they give negative recommendations. This results in a large number of award recommendations reaching the service headquarters. Units and formations compete with each other in writing highly exaggerated and imaginary citations of the act of gallantry. At Command and service headquarters, an attempt is made to strike a balance but due to gross exaggeration and large numbers, the system ends up becoming a lottery.
Judging it wrongly
In present-day combat with high technology and standoff weapon systems, the old-style hand to hand combat is passé. Hence, acts of gallantry are difficult to define and tend to merge with mission accomplishment or getting killed in action irrespective of the circumstances.
Since personnel also benefit professionally and monetarily, there is an individual tendency to tweak the system and make trumped up claims.
At times to cover major failures, commanders present an imaginary account of the battle and back it up with large number of awards. Something similar happens when the focus is on a major success with or without an intense battle. Valour as such becomes a secondary issue, I have observed.
The problem is further compounded by an emotional nation that confuses loss of life in battle with gallantry — more so in high-profile actions. With due respect for individual gallantry, the award of three Ashok Chakras and five Kirti Chakras for the terrorist attack on Parliament on 13 December 2001, and six Ashok Chakras and five Kirti Chakras for 26/11 Mumbai attack raises disturbing questions about the entire award system.
Also read: Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a former militant now an Ashoka Chakra awardee
At times, the armed forces and the government succumb to the temptation of using gallantry awards for psychological warfare. While justifiable in national interest, it adversely effects the morale within the organisation. I have personal knowledge of two such Ashok Chakra awardees.
Need of the hour
The defence ministry and the armed forces must lay down detailed yardsticks for each award. Mission accomplishment or ‘sacrifice’ – getting killed or wounded in action – must not be confused with acts of gallantry. The latter two categories can be recognised with different category of awards. To obviate parochialism, it must not be left only to the unit to make the initial recommendation. An impartial independent inquiry, with evidence on record, should be mandatory for deciding gallantry awards. Helmet mounted video cameras have gone a long way in refining the system in US armed forces. False claims must be strictly dealt with under military law and the law of the land.
There is a lot to be said for the yardsticks used for deciding gallantry awards in general and within the military in particular. The whole system is warped. Unless we want radical reforms the less we talk about it the better. In my view leave the past and reform for future.
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) April 20, 2019
What I have said above is merely the tip of the iceberg. There is an urgent need for reforms to cleanse the award system of the ills inflecting it in recognising noble acts of gallantry in action. Otherwise, we will end up proving the barrack dictum: the only real heroes are the unsung ones.
Lt Gen H S Panag PVSM, AVSM (R) served in the Indian Army for 40 years. He was GOC in C Northern Command and Central Command. Post retirement, he was Member of Armed Forces Tribunal. Views are personal.
Sir you are correct in highlighting the compromises occuring in the gallantry award selection especially in the police service.
Many commentators have opined that karkare deserves it for giving the ultimate sacrifice. Are these idiots aware (unfortunate that they dont know their armys valour) that there were several casualities of senior officers including brigadiers, major generals and lieutenant generals both during counter insurgency and sub conventional operations in j&k and in wars fought from 47 to 99.
The police forces are a collective representation of the failures of the indian internal security state. We are dragging by our existence and statehood, barely surviving mass insurgencies in 15 differemt states thanks to the contribution of the respective police and the great indian police service cadre. The army unfortunately is called to rescue each one of their failures.
And now they have the gall to point out that army reaps a lot more rewards. What of all the 26000 dead soldiers since independence . How many of them got the awards. Show me one force which has incurred so many casualities. Are they aware of the officer casuality ratio. These stoned hearted selfish people are the reason why the denigration of armed forces has occurred in our country.
It would also have been relevant if u had highlighted the “staff gallantry” awards metted out to senior army generals wholesale to buy their loyalty off from representing true grievances of the army.
Shameful and dastardly to criticize award of a gallant officer killed in action. Karkare could have stayed back and let the terrorists run amuck, waiting for the NSG to arrive (they arrived in leisurely fashion hours too late) during which time the terrorists would have taken more lives. But he chose to go after them, knowing full well that he was outgunned and under-protected. Therein lay the gallantry. The fact that he was ambushed and shot means nothing. By that yardstick we should not have given the Param Vir Chakra to Maj. Shaitan Singh of Rezang La fame, because he was killed by the Chinese and failed to hold the ground he was meant to. It is as idiotic as that. The general is right that some forces (the Army in particular) award medals to all and sundry at the drop of a hat – just look at the uniform of any officer above the rank of Major General, the front is a riot of color. In contrast the police do not award medals that easily.
Wow leisurely!! Are u aware that the delay was because the govt didnt provide them with dedicated fixed wing aircraft even after years of representation. Its so easy to point out fingers without verifying ur nobrainer opinions.
And the police do not award medals easily!!! Where did u get this from? Have u seen the state of presidential police.medal and ppm for gallantry. They are given dime a dozen. Dont pontificate and patronize dear on the state of affairs of the police. They are ridiculously self preserving to the extent of even carrying the slippers of their political masters. Atleast the army still has decency left in accepting its shortcomings. The bureaucracy and police are the biggest ailments in our country. The army is highly transparent and accountable at the officer level. They hunt down those charged with grave offences unlike the shameless protective police.and ias association of our country
This is most unfortunate piece from a man who served in army. What is the central theme of the article maligning a martyr or discussing the need for reforms in the way gallantry awards are given? If it’s latter then why target an upright police officer. The reference to tweets questioning his competence and shamefully accusing him of dead drunk on that fateful night only smells foul. Without any direct reference to Late Karkare and some ugly tweets you could have pressed your point. If at all you wanted to initiate discussion directly pointing fingures why not come up with names of army men who according you were given awards not on merit. It is most unfortunate that in the name of discussion on changing the system you walk on the path of personal vilification of a man who had made supreme sacrifice. You are free to hold your opinion but for me his act of leading from the front is an act of great courage and gallantly. He was ATS chief and he faced the bullets from terrorist bravely. Sir this piece was not expected from you. Don’t quote people who question a martyr and shamelessly level allegations sitting in cosy comfort of home. He had served as DSP of Chandrapur a naxal affected area, my native place. Had the opportunity to meet him once. For me he is hero and will always have my respects. Sorry general don’t agree this time. Have doubts about your intentions.
How can this writer minimize Karkare’s contribution to just this gallantry award?
When India/Maharashtra decided to create an ATS he was chosen to build it from scratch. He was in RAW before that. Top IPS officers, his seniors or juniors looked to him for excellent results and counsel. Just read meeran borwankar’s write up on him.
How does the incorrect or correct award given to karkare when he had no say in the matter give an under-trial the right to defame him?
Why only gallantry awards? What about the PVSMs dished out every year like sweets to Lt Gens?
The events emerging after the statement by Sadhvi Pragya that her curse killed Karkare are amusing. If we consider it true then we are back in the Stone Age. The Sadhvi’s statement came only AFTER his death and hence little credence need be given to her utterances. We are only giving her unnecessary publicity. But let us examine the claim that the officer died in an act of bravery. He and six others died because of utter disregard for SOPs while tackling terrorists in an urban jungle. When you don’t know where the terrorists are, then you too must not reveal your location. This is evidenced by the fact that the terrorists caught them napping, within twenty yards of their getting into a jeep, indicating they were watching everything. By getting into a police jeep with the beacon on, they were virtually saying “Aa bhail mujhe maar”. And look at the seating arrangement. Vijay Salaskar, the most experienced shooter, was driving, and did not even have time to draw his weapon. Karkare, by virtue of seniority hogged the entire middle row. As if status matters in such an operation. They all died due to acts of omission and commission and the gallantry awards were given as a salve to ensure that inconvenient questions were not asked. In any case the Ashoka Chakra has been grossly misused and has lost its value. Incidentally what I have written will be confirmed by police officers and anti-terrorist experts.
His_presence_there_was_enough_gallantry_Sir!
Agree_that-_tukaram_should_have_got_the_award_too
But_your_posting_trolls_here_which_were_meant_to_mere_demean_an_honest_and_upright_IPS_officer_proves_what_propaganda_you_are_putting_up_here.
SUCH_A_SHAME!
TWO QUESTION LT.GEN PANAG:
1. HOW ABOUT GIVING SHAURYA CHAKRA FOR SIMPLY BEING KILLED AFTER ABDUCTION ? I AM TALKING ABOUT SHAURYA CHAKRA TO SEPOY AURANGZEB. DID YOU QUESTIONED IT?
2. LET US NOT GO INTO WEATHER HEMANT KARKARE DIED IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT FIGHT OR DIED JUST AT THE LEVEL OF PREPARING FOR THE ASSAULT, PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME SINCE INDEPENDENCE ANY MAJ.GEN KILLED IN ACTION WITH TERRORISTS? OR FOR THAT MATTER GIVE ME NAME OF A BRIGADIER WHO DIED IN ACTION WITH TERRORIST?
I HOPE YOU WILL SURELY ANSWER THESE TWO QUESTION AND ONE MORE THING ABOUT COL ASHOK, HE IS HIGHLY DEFENSIVE CRITIC WHEN IT COMES ARMED FORCES TO THE EXTENT OF DECLARING ARMY ABOVE ALL (LITERALLY ABOVE ALL)
Dear Mr Babu or is it Dr,
I don’t think you quite understand how the armed forces operations happen. Generals don’t fight on the frontline
I also don’t think you know that the Ashok Chakra is equivalent to the Param VIR Chakra in peacetime
The respected General is suggesting a fair way of giving Gallantry awards and his point is valid
Dear Mr Sameer Junnarkar (Dr) ,
I am sure you understand that a Inspector General of Police equivalent to a Maj.Gen too don’t fight front line.
I feel you think too much about what others know, I know it very well that Ashoka Chakra is equivalent Param Veer Chakra in peace time. Now whats your point? If Army think a Jawan’s death in cold blooded murder entitles him Shaurya Chakra, an IG of police died in action entitles an Ashoka Chakra too…. I told general Panag and Col Ashok the same thing that instead writing this on Hemant Karkare to simply give fodder for terror accused sadhvi, they should write an article starting from Army side of awarding ineligibles.
Mr naidu check the data on counter insurgency operations in j and k. There are a total of three lt generals, 4 major generals, 12 brigadiers and several.colonels who got injured or killed during operations. You are incapable to gain information due to ur bureacratic origins.
U will be astonished to know that general manekshaws helicopter was shot at by mizo national front when he was visiting mizoram. Lucky he escaped otherwise even a chief would.have been on the unknown list of urs. Bloody shameful to see ur ignorance.