The Central Armed Police Forces have an important role to play in the security matrix of India. The angry piece published in ThePrint titled ‘Ex-BSF ADG Sood and his band of disgruntled brothers spreading lies against IGP Kashmir’ by IPS Abhinav Kumar, therefore, needs to be analysed in this light to put things in perspective.
Although Kumar is entitled to his views, he has chosen to exercise it by heaping criticism on “Sood (me) and other CAF cadre officers”, which is a sad reflection of what has become of the once elite IPS. His piece can become a case study to explain the concept of a ‘straw man argument’
It is beyond doubt that the comments made by IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, even though at a closed-door meeting, were derogatory to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), a CAPF, according to Abhinav himself, which has won several laurels during operations in Kashmir. CRPF commandant Vinay Kumar Tiwari who is commanding the 53 battalion was rightly aggrieved at slandering of his organisation and displayed moral courage in immediately bringing it on record. So, the veracity of the comments made by Vijay Kumar is not disputed. Abhinav Kumar in his column, misinterprets my point regarding return of medals (earned by IGP Kashmir). I had said that Kumar should return only those medals which he may have been awarded while in CRPF.
Also read: If CAPF cadre wants to be treated as civil servants, it must develop citizen-centric values
Trivialising important issues
Attempts to reduce the issue to a mere ‘a fight for promotion by a few thousand officers of the CAPF’ amounts to obfuscation of the larger issues of national security and denial of fundamental rights. The CAPF officers are fighting for their rights for two decades now, and it is not a case of some of them having suddenly developed spine after retirement. It must be pointed out that the promotional avenues of the 10,000-strong CAPF cadre will not improve with just over 200 of them promoted to the top posts, presently occupied by IPS officers. However, occupation of those posts by the CAPF officers will have a positive effect on improving national security because of their domain expertise.
The concern shown by Abhinav Kumar for enhancing avenues for subordinate and lower-ranked staff in the CAPFs is appreciable. This indeed is the cause of high attrition rate among the lower ranks. But the question is: what has stopped these IPS officers all these years from ensuring this? Fluctuating intake over the years, removal of the ranks of Lance Naik and Naik after the 1995 Pay Commission, introduction of the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector in General Duty Cadre, etc are some of the major blunders of personnel policies that have impeded the avenues of lower ranks. Immediate steps are required to ensure improvement and the CAPF cadre officers are wholeheartedly supporting it.
Also read: Delhi, UP show IPS officers can’t even manage states but want to control CAPFs: Ex-BSF ADG
Problematic decision-making
Several doubtful decisions taken by the IPS officers while serving in the CAPFs emanate from their inability to come to terms with the culture of these specialised forces. The sheer temporariness of their engagement with the CAPFs, which they join on deputation and the agenda of personal comfort and a soft posting, also prevents them from developing any connect with the organisation and the troops, who look up to their leaders to lead them, and not manage them.
One need not look far to verify these claims. Transfer of eight senior officers within a short period of time in CRPF and retention of large number of vehicles and manpower, even by long-retired IPS officers are some recent examples. The practice of posting IPS officers to Delhi or at a place of their choice with minimal exposure to operational areas, besides deputing them to head a specialised directorate, like Medical etc. are not just professionally wrong, but blatant misuse of government finances as each such act has a cost to the exchequer.
The unyielding obduracy of the IPS officers leading these forces, towards addressing genuine grievances of CAPF cadre officers has forced them to approach the courts. They resorted to this step after exhausting all avenues within the organisation and the Government of India. Similar obduracy displayed in even honouring the orders of the Supreme Court is what further rankled the CAPF officers.
Taking legal recourse to have their grievances addressed is a fundamental right, and this is what the cadre officers have done. Implied threat of legal action for exercising one’s fundamental right, therefore, betrays lack of knowledge of law as enunciated in numorous judgments of the Supreme Court since the landmark 1962 verdict in Kedar Nath Singh vs the State Of Bihar, which held that barring the call to overthrow a constitutionally elected government by violent means, no other criticism of government policies, however severe, qualify as sedition.
Abhinav Kumar’s claim that a section of the CAPF cadre has built a large corpus and is using it via NGOs to fund litigation against the IPS officers can be easily verified by the latter as they have at their disposal the entire police and investigative machinery.
Also read: New twist in tussle as CRPF withdraws cooks, drivers posted with retired IPS officers
Courts have attested CAPFs concerns
Kumar has been repeating arguments in all his pieces to advance the case of IPS with regard to the CAPFs by drawing up an imaginary constitutional principle, superior selection process, historical legacy etc. Many of these arguments have already been debunked by the Delhi high court and the Supreme Court.
The claims of the CAPF cadre officers are not only supported by the highest court of law in India, but also by several expert bodies, appointed by the government itself. The most recent being the Chidambaram-led committee, which expressly states that the field of selection of Director Generals of CAPFs should be expanded to include the CAPF officers. The 2006 Pay Commission had also recommended that all posts up to DIG should be held by the CAPF cadre officers. Besides, 50 per cent of all posts of IG and above, should also be held by CAPF cadre officers. An IIM-Calcutta report in the mid-nineties had recommended doing away with deputation. However, most of these recommendations have been given a quiet burial.
The allegations levelled by IPS officers, therefore, are baseless as the CAPF cadre officers are fighting an existential battle and the Government of India would do well to address these grievances.
In Latin, it is said: fiat justitia ne pereat mundus that is ‘Justice must be done, lest the world perish for want of that’.
The author is a retired additional director general of Border Security Force. Views are personal.
The post by Ex-ADG BSF, mr. Sood, is pin pointed and elaborately hit the targeted area of concern by CAPF Officers and IPS. He expressed his concern to strengthen CAPF however IPSs have their own priorities.
I had also gone through the article of Mr. Abhinav Kumar. He just pissed poison in that article. It is beyond imagination that he had been on deputation to CAPF deptt. It is learnt that his personal conduct with his subordinates in that department was very rude and he behaved like a king or tanashah! Pol usually not remember him with good gesture. That is he earned from CAPF! On the other hand CAPF officers has their moto to earn respect from his juniors not by position but by his deeds! This is the thing CAPF carry with them with every transfer and retirement. This is the basic difference why CAPF is more reliable than IPS.
Must joining ias cadets CAPFs
I agree with Mr Sood , the person who has served in any organisation from beginning should be given charge of handling management posts. Few IPS officers not only demeaning CAPF officers experience and knowledge but also demeaning UPSC, Supreme Court, Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Cabinet Committee. Am I living in 1920 or 2020.
I don’t understand why the government is not taking any action for CAPF reforms even after the Supreme Court judgement and Union Cabinet’s approval. God knows why they are playing with national security. Never saw any IPS claiming responsibility for Pulwama, Dantewada, Sukma attacks and many more. Leaders should lead from the front and not by sitting in AC offices. Ips should gracefully exit from the CAPF if they want to save their respect, whatever may be left for them.
Veey well written sir! CAPF officers are matured and capable to lead the forces. Time has come to be empowered by Govt, Better late than never.
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I must say sir that you are true gentleman. Logical answer without any grudges. Thats the thing Mr.Abhinav need to know.
As a common man I can only say that CAPF cadre is getting more responsibilities and needs more specialization. No doubt such career stagnation is leading to lower morale and higher attrition. IPS should focus on national security and rise above person interest.
The concerns are put to the point by Sood ji. CAPF is bright organisation which is sometimes neglected of its due rights. They are everywhere from our borders being the first line of defense to the internal forests of India fighting naxalism. They are a professional force who deserve to have their leadership. IPS officers have contributed in raising the organisation but now it is more of a relaxed tenure for them now. If they want to still command it why don;’t IPS officers join at the AC level and up. Why only take the plum DIG and above posting. A leader should command his men from the front like Commadant Chetan Cheetah. How many IPS officers have displayed the same valor in a CAPF tenure?
We are moving towards an inquisitive generation where the Inspector/ Constable is well educated most of them having Masters in their credit. They would not take orders from a cell phone call coming from an air conditioned room in safe zone. They want their officers with them, encouraging them. That is the reason Defense Tri- Service Officers still command the respect and most of the times even after retirement. They stand with their men on the ground and Commanding Officers are martyred doing the same.
CAPF officers across services understand and feel the pulse of their men in combat. Hence they would be aware of it when the reach the top of the ladder.
I hope the day comes when CAPF officers from their own cadres are the top bosses of their Forces.
Thanks to all CAPF personnel for their service.
A mighty impressive article focussing on the grave concern left being uncovered by media houses.
Thanks to Sh SK Sood and The Print for highlighting the callousness of the lobby.
One can find the difference between two articles. This one puts points in logical and practical perspective.
Totally agree with your post sir ; we all know and had recently seen how these IPS officers handled the COVID 19 irresponsibly infact recent delhi riot is the best example. They r in this elite service not to serve but to lead a luxury life.SHAME ON IPS ORGANIZATIONS.
According to me CAPF cadre officer should be up to commandant rank and after commandant all post filed with IPS Officer to strength CAPF.
CaOF officers have experience and all capabilities to lead organization. Deputation of IPS was only a temporary arrangement for newly constituted forces. But now senior cadre is available. Cabinet has also accorded Organized Status to CAPF which means IoS can not be deputed upto IG level. It is a good move.
Efficient and experienced leadership of CAPF cadre will help in tackling internal security challenges of India.
Maharaaj toh yahi vyavastha toh pichle 50 saal se jyada se chal rahi hai jisne CAPFs ko sabse jyada nuksaan kiya hua hai.
Ab supreme court ne saaf keh diya hai ki Organised service hain CAPFs aur IG rank tak cadre officer k alawa koi bhi kisi keemat par nahi aa sakta. ADG , ADG, DG jo ki ex-Cadre posts boli jaati hain usme IPS deputation pe aa sakte hain, lekin tab jab CAPF k paas khud k cadre officers us eligibility criteria me naa maujood ho. Agar aur knowledge chahiye toh aage baat kar sakte hain hum.
The nation has full trust on our paramilitary forces. Our citizens have blind faith on the judicious and unbiased culture of these cpmf especially for the CRPF guys. On the other hand the local police always appear draconian for the general people but friendly for the MAFIAS and NETAS.
It’s also a fact that IPS guys come after competing one of the toughest exam.so, Does their merit commensurate with their actual duties while commanding local police????
Do they really command their most corrupted police stations in curbing crime and winning over trust of local people…?
A big answer is …..No.
Then, as a general citizen I throw all their educational merit in garbage bin…
The IPS and IAS guys smartly hide their incompetence and corruptions behind the facade of interference of politicians. But fact is quite an open secret…How many time an IAS or IPS has raised their issue of political interference openly when they are in helm of affair….Again the answer is a big cipher…
As far as their conceitful stake in CPMF is concerned on mere name of cracking a big exam is absolutely illegal, illogical and full with intrigue.Supreme court and further government of India have already given the decision in favor of CPMF cadre officers.
Can a mathematics teacher sail through along with its student in a big deep river…?
Well written article by an Ex CAPF officer. Every force should be commanded by its own cadre officer lest it might suffer from temporary bosses. IPS officers should better leave CAPF ASAP so that their dignity do not go rock bottom
Very well explained. The irony is that top govt services still following the british legacy . Squeezing the facilities and then creating fight amogst the lower ranks overbthese facilietis . Even the state police infrastructure is being ruined. The basic amenities for police thana are in poor state. But all IPS banglows are shining.
No comments so far…
CAPF के जवानों और अधिकारियों को धैर्य रखने की जरूरत है । एक दिन न्याय जरूर होगा जब आपको देश आपका वाजिब हक देगा । किसी भी बल के हित के लिए आवश्यक है कि उसका नेतृत्व उस बल के नीचे रैंक से आए हुए अधिकारी व जवान करे । इससे ना सिर्फ बल बल्कि राष्ट्र का भी विकास होगा । आईपीएस अभिजात वर्ग भी राज्य के नियम कानून दुरुश्त बनाये रखने में ज्यादा ध्यान दे सकेंगे ।
Brilliant piece,sir.I ‘d like to cite the following-
1. The palpable exasperation of the cadre officers is the result of odious obduracy of some IPS officers who wish to perpetuate their sojourn in CAPFs.The cadre officers,for decades, endured an tortuous legal battle and got their due only in 2019.But,things have come to a head when the directions of the HON’BLE SC and the Govt. are not being implemented in the right spirit.These shenanigans have resulted in massive restlessness and mistrust in the cadre officers
.
In the name of discipline and decorum,they are being asked to keep mum while downright injustice runs amok.This belies a soldier’s innate reflex to oppose wrongs.
2. The use of AIS,Federalism is the last of their refuge and tries to portray the issue as a career problem of cadre officers vis-a -vis national interest whose self proclaimed flag bearers are the IPS officers.Surprisingly,it is just the opposite.It is an issue whose genesis lies in the diabolical avarice of a handful of IPS officers.It is noteworthy,as I pointed in my previous write up too,that the CAPF officers are not demanding posts in State police apparatus,which ironically,after the grant of OGAS status,they actually can.
The only bone of contention is their mother organisations who are sadly busy acting against,hounding and witch hunting their own cadre officers.
The debate has stooped to a level wherein senior IPS officers are extending the argument of clearing the toughest examination mankind ever faced,..what could possibly be more puerile??
3.Also,few IPS officers with sinister designs to incite disaffection amongst the PBOR against the cadre officers , keep harping on their poor career progressions and avenues to suggest that cadre officers are apathetic to their interests which is downright wrong and condemnable.The cadre officers are extremely happy to see novel vistas for the junior commanders.
But,everyone has to understand that cadre officers,too clear an exam conducted by the UPSC and join at the same level as an IPS officer,thus,the question is that of inequity.Their demand of parity with the latter is genuine and must not be trivialised.Also,the parity is not a mathematical one,as some of the polymaths may fallaciously assume.The voices of a few well meaning IPS officers who support the cause are being drowned in the ongoing mudslinging .
Nice Article.
IPS should take graceful exit now.
Mr. Sood’s article over the issues related to CAPF not only have logical and factual basis but also huge experience of roughly around four decades of service to this nation as a borderman.
I have been following IPS Abhinav’s tweeter handle and his articles on print for quite a time now. His disrespectful remarks to CAPF and Army veterans hurts me. It is simply not in our Indian culture to disrespect elders in such derogatory way. His remarks are mostly based on higher difficulty of Civil Service Examination which he thinks should be sufficient for IPS officers to lead CAPF. However he completely ignores basic fact that CAPF recruitment is focused on its need and has element Physical Efficiency Test which is added layer for selection of candidates suitable for job profile.
Sood’s article are based on logical premises and legal testimonies. No doubt they are of academic importance for a student of law and border management and related issues. It is therefore a treat to students and juniors alike.
The debate had started from Mr. Vijay Kumar’s comment of CRPF which were condemned by all corners.
The main issue about deputation of IPS officers to CAPF is settled by Supreme Court as well as Cabinet. CAPFs were granted organized cadre way back 1986. Delhi High court and Supreme Court has reiterated its judgment in favour CAPF cadre and now stay has been put on deputation upto level of IG.
DOPT has clarified that there is only one type of Orginized status for Grade A central government employees. DOPT in office memorandum no I-11019/12/2008-CRD dated November 19, 2009 has clarified that “Organized status” means that “All vanancies above JTS and upto SAG level in such services are filled up by promotion from the next lower grade.”
It will be logical and also will be in the interest of nation if Cabinet’s decision is implemented in letter and spirit. CAPF cadre has experienced officers who can not just lead their organization but also make it more efficient by way of reforms. As Mr. Sood pointed out IPS officers who come on deputation for 2, 3 years do not have motivation to make incremental changes neither do they have operational experience about working of these organization. Similar situation was also evident in Coast Guards where Navy was holding higher posts. But as officers from Coastal guard were groomed by Navy and experienced cadre became available, Navy left Coast Guards which now has DG from its own cadre.
CAPF cadre has grown in size and has task cut out for it which demands full time leaders who have ground level experience and domain expertise. Utilizing their experience can go long way in solving our internal security challenges as well as intricate border issues.
A well written article. Point by point rebuttal against IPS IPS propaganda.
This shows how low levels these officers of CAPF and IPS can go slandering each other. Let constables run the forces, officers seem to be of no use
Poor IPS
विभिन्न प्रकार के कार्यों में लगे किसी भी सुरक्षा संगठन को सफल होने के लिए एक दृढ़ नेतृत्व की आवश्यकता होती है। आदर्श स्थिति यह है कि नेतृत्व को नीचे से ऊपर की ओर बढ़ना चाहिए जिसमें ऊपर की ओर बढ़ने वाले व्यक्ति को जमीनी स्तर पर कठिनाईयों एवं दबावों का अनुभव रहना चाहिए और इस प्रकार उसे ऐसे लोगों की बेहतर समझ भी होनी चाहिए जिन पर अंततोगत्वा उसे कमान करना है। यही वह अंतर है जो केंद्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल (सीएपीएफ) के संग्रह और सेना के प्रदर्शन को अलग करता है। हालांकि इस सभी संगठनों के लिए जवान लगभग एक जैसे ही होते हैं, लगभग एक ही प्रकार के प्रशिक्षण से गुजरते हैं और जम्मू-कश्मीर घाटी तथा उत्तर पूर्व में आतंक विरोधी अभियानों में संयुक्त रूप से कार्य करते हैं।
सशस्त्र बल ही एकमात्र ऐसा संगठन है जिसमें कोई बगैर उचित प्रक्रिया का पालन किए या बिना मेहनत के नहीं आ सकता। जो नीचे से उठ कर ऊंचाई तक पहुंचते हैं वे अपनी टुकडि़यों के साथ साथ खुद मेहनत करते हैं, एक ही प्रकार की सुविधाओं का लाभ उठाते हैं और समान प्रकार के खतरे मोल लेते हैं। वे टुकडि़यों का नेतृत्व करते हैं और खुद भी अपने सीनियरों की अगुवाई में काम कर चुके होते हैं। सरल तरीके से कहा जाए तो यह ऐसा एकमात्र संगठन है जो लीडर बनाता है और लीडरों का नेतृत्व करता है।
इसलिए इसमें हमेशा अधिक मिलनसार होने का स्वभाव और आपसी समझ होती है। यह नेतृत्व में विश्वास और भरोसे का निर्माण करती है, आदेशों की स्वीकृति को आसान बनाती है और सौहार्द तथा बलिदान की भावना को आत्मसात करती है। यहां तक कि दूसरी बटालियन या रेजीमेंट के कमान अधिकारी को भी टुकड़ी द्वारा स्वीकार करने से पहले खुद को साबित करना पड़ता है।
दूसरी तरफ सीएपीएफ के अपने कैडर की ही अनदेखी होती है जब उन्हें आईपीएस से भर्ती को स्वीकार करने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ता है। बचने की यह भावना सीधे सेना के ऊंचे रैंक से आती है। ऐसे लोगों में जिन्हें शामिल किया गया है, किसी ने भी उन जवानों के साथ कभी काम नहीं किया होता है जिन पर उनसे कमान करने की अपेक्षा की जाती है, उन्हें जमीनी हकीकत का कोई पता नहीं होता और वे सैन्य टुकडि़यों से कटे हुए होते हैं। जो लोग सीएपीएफ में प्रवेश करने में सफल हो जाते हैं, उन्होंने केवल राज्य पुलिस स्तर में काम किया होता है, उनके पास उस माहौल का अनुभव और समझ नहीं होती जहां सीएपीएफ संचालित होता है। ऊपरी रैंक में इस समावेश का इस श्रृंखला में नीचे तक प्रभाव पड़ता है।
ऐसा देखा गया है कि सीएपीएफ में कनिष्ठ नेतृत्व मजबूत और आदर्श होता है लेकिन उनके एवं उनके वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के बीच का अंतराल बढ़ता ही जा रहा है क्योंकि सीनियर अधिकारियों में इन संगठनों को लेकर सीमित समझ होती है। अधिकारियों को ऊपर से लाए जाने से अधिकारी कैडर का हौसला भी प्रभावित होता है। उन्हें पता होता है कि अपनी काबिलियत और प्रदर्शन के बावजूद वे कभी भी शीर्ष तक नहीं पहुंच पाएंगे क्योंकि वह पद आईपीएस के लिए आरक्षित होता है। इस प्रणाली के खिलाफ नाराजगी का इजहार निचले स्तर के अधिकारियों द्वारा नहीं किया जा सकता क्योंकि उन्हें भी उसी प्रक्रिया से गुजरना होता है जिन्हें वे नामंजूर करना चाहते हैं।
ऐसा संभव है कि आरंभ में यह प्रणाली इसलिए बनाई गई हो क्योंकि इस संगठन में आवश्यक स्तर पर इसके अपने सीनियर कैडर की कमी थी क्योंकि ये पद ज्यादातर आजादी के बाद गठित किए गए थे। समय गुजरने के साथ बल की ताकत कई गुना बढ़ती गई और इसके साथ साथ इसका अपना कैडर भी हो गया। अधिकारी कैडर को पर्याप्त जमीनी अनुभव प्राप्त हो गया है और उन्होंने सफलतापूर्वक ऑपरेशनों में अपनी कमान का नेतृत्व किया है, इसलिए वे इसी सोपान पर आगे चढ़ने और अपने खुद के संगठनों की कमान करने के सर्वथा योग्य हैं।
किसी भी संगठन का प्रदर्शन उसके शीर्ष नेतृत्व की प्रकृति से उत्पन्न होता है। अगर वही कमजोर, नापसंद, नावाकिफ और दूसरे कैडर से उनके ऊपर से लादा हुआ है तो हमेशा ही भरोसे की कमी रहेगी जिससे प्रदर्शन प्रभावित होगा। अगर नेतृत्व अपने भीतर से उठ कर आता है तो प्रदर्शन में बहुत बड़ा अंतर दिखेगा।
इसलिए सीएपीएफ के नेतृत्व स्तरों में सुधार लाने के दो विकल्प बच जाते हैं। पहला यह है कि अगर इसी प्रक्रिया को जारी रखा जाना है तो प्रत्येक आईपीएस अधिकारी को अनिवार्य रूप से अराजकता विरोधी मुहिमों में तैनात किसी सीएपीएफ बटालियनों में कंपनी कमांडर के रूप में एक निश्चित कार्यकाल तक काम करना चाहिए। केवल इस प्रकार के कार्य अनुभव प्राप्त लोगों को ही बाद में इसमें शामिल किया जाना चाहिए। दूसरा विकल्प, किसी और संगठन से शीर्ष पद पर लाकर बिठाने की इस पद्धति को रद्द कर देने और खुद सीएपीएफ के कैडर को पदोन्नत करना है।
सरकार को निश्चित रूप से सीएपीएफ के प्रति अपने दृष्टिकोण पर पुनर्विचार करना चाहिए और उन्हें केवल आईपीएस का विशिष्ट अधिकार समझना तथा उनके साथ एक दूसरी श्रेणी के बल के रूप में बर्ताव करना छोड़ देना चाहिए। उनके अपने कैडर अब बलों को कमान करने में सक्षम हैं और उन्हें आवश्यक अवसर दिया जाना चाहिए। आईपीएस को राज्य स्तर पर उनके अपने संगठन को संचालित करने के लिए छोड़ दिया जाना चाहिए।
Any security organization employed in multifarious roles needs a resolute leadership for success. Ideally, the leadership should flow from bottoms up, wherein those rising have experienced the hardships and pressures at the grassroots level and hence, always have a better understanding of the men they are ultimately expected to command. It is this difference which separates the performance of the collection of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the army, though the men for all these organizations come from the same stock, undergo near similar training and operate jointly in anti-militancy operations in the valley and North East.
The armed forces are the only organization where there are no lateral intakes. Those who rise to the top do so from the grassroots, working alongside their troops, sharing the same facilities and facing the same dangers. They lead troops and are themselves led by senior leaders. Simplistically put, it is the only organization which makes leaders and leads leaders.
Hence, there is always greater bonhomie and understanding. It builds faith and trust in the leadership, makes acceptance of orders easier and imbibes a spirit of camaraderie and sacrifice. Even a commanding officer from another battalion or regiment must prove himself before being accepted by the troops.
The CAPFs on the other hand have their own cadre being ignored while being forced to accept intake from the IPS. This sidestepping comes directly at the upper echelons of the service. None of those who have been inducted have ever operated with the men they are expected to command, have no idea of ground realities and are cut off from the troops. Those who manage to wander into the CAPFs have only served at state police levels, lacking experience and understanding of the environment where CAPFs operate. This induction at the upper echelons has its impact down the chain.
It has been seen that junior leadership in the CAPFs is strong and ideal but the gap between them and their senior leaders is increasing, as the senior leadership has little understanding of these organizations. This sidestepping also impacts morale of the officer cadre which is aware that they can never rise to the top, irrespective of their performance and capability, as that is reserved for the IPS. Anger against this system cannot be easily projected by the rank and file as it would be processed through the same channel which it seeks to discard.
It may be possible that the system was put in place initially as the organization lacked its own senior cadre at the necessary levels, since these were mostly raised post-independence. With passage of time the strength of the forces has grown manifold, and along with it has their own cadres. The officer cadre has obtained enough ground experience and has successfully led their command in operations, hence deserve to climb the ladder and command their own organizations.
The performance of any organization stems from the nature of its top leadership. If the same is weak, disliked, unaware, and forced down from another cadre, there would always be lack of trust, which would impact performance. If the leadership rises from within, there would be a marked difference in performance.
This therefore leaves two options for improving leadership levels of the CAPFs. The first is that if the same procedure is to continue, then every IPS officer must undergo a tenure as a company commander in a CAPF battalion deployed in counter insurgency operations. Only if he has served in such an appointment can he be inducted later. The second option is to cancel this system of sidestepping completely and promote the cadre of the CAPF itself.
The government must reconsider its approach to the CAPFs and stop treating them as the exclusive preserves of the IPS as also a second-class force. Their own cadres are now capable of commanding the forces and should be given the requisite opportunity. The IPS should be left to run its own organization at the state level.
All alligations made by Mr. Abhinav on highly decorated officer ADG S.K.Sood (Retd) were baseless nd mere a mixture of pseudo superiority complex and frustration.In this article writer has again exposed how lobby is targeting and threatening cadre officers by transferring them without completion of minimum tenure which is also violation of recent instructions of MHA regarding transfers.
Cadre officers are asking for justice as OGAS has yet not been implemented even after one and half year of SC judgement.IPS are now influencing DoPT by creating a separate and inferior category of OGAS for CAPF exclusively which will kill the spirit of pay parity under NFFU.When supreme court has already examined all aspects and given status of OGAS to CAPF cadre officers since 1986 then such recommendations of DoPT only shows malafide intentions to deny justice.
Difference in the residency period for IPS and cadre officers for the same rank can not be different with the logic of administrative requirement.How can an outsider with less service is more eligible for IG rank of CAPF than cadre officer having more service in his own force.In simple term an IPS officer having 18 years of service is eligible for IG rank even if he have zero experience of CAPF but CAPF cadre officers serving in own organisation will be eligible for the same rank after 24 years of service. Isnt a murder of equal opportunity and open violation of fundamental rights.
Mentioning toughness of civil service examination doesnt justify injustice . Moreover Assistant Commandants of CAPFs are also selected through UPSC and questioning their ability is doubting UPSC ability to select.Asstt Comdt also comepte physical efficiency test which is nowhere for IPS again shows an IPS doesn’t fulfill requirement of Job of paramilitary .Exam for Assistant Comdt is conducted separately by UPSC ,which means only those who want to join and serve these forces appear for exam while majority IPS having their first option IAS or IFS while opting services in CSE.It is just by chance they get IPS.
Days are not so far when govt will show them right path but if they wish to continue with such arrogance and attitude it’s their wish as they are just mocking themselves and their own service.
Mr Sood, you are having very mature hand and vast knowldge to express through your pen. You are on a very noble mission and commanding huge respect from your followers with your rich tweets and articles. You are gracefully writing for a clear mission. Sometimes it is wise to ignore baseless allegations and junk messages from irrational impulses. Better will be to concentrate on mission.
Well said. IPS are useless and spineless organisation,, they can’t even controll law and order in any state. Yet they are bosses everywhere. Thank God they are not heading army navy and airforce. Unfortunately, the secretary again is IAS , an another incompetent fellow who helms the affair there. Govt should stop dependency on these IAS ips. Or other reason to depend up on them is , they dance to the tune of bosses. Which professional organisation like army and crpf bsf will not do.
No reply can be better than this to Mr Abhinav. All inputs r factually correct with supporting illustration. Here Mr Sood has proved his mettle. Cheers to the author ????
Just a small reminder to the self proclaimed gods of Indian Policing, there is a paper called ‘Ethics’ in the CSE mains which would shake the very insides if pondered over.
Please stop this mudslinging and allow the rightful to happen gracefully as the uniform on your shoulder would expect of you. Reinvent the dilapidated respect for other uniformed men as they serve the very motherland bound by the same constitution which declares you to be an all India service.
Don’t count on the fallacy of being deserving to lead without actual expertise just because you prepared well and cleared a prestigious exam.
That may prove your mettle in the rhetorics, but not in the jungle warfare. This game has other set of rules which recognizes the men suited for it.
Please display the courage of acknowledging and take pride in it. Jai Hind.
Only those systems which evolves with its journey are the ones which can thrive over the test of time. The CAPFs (erstwhile Paramilitaries) has come a long way since their inception. Now they have a large arrays of officers of their own cadres whose experience and domain expertise would not only bloster the efficiency of its 100,000 personnels but also strengthen the security fabric of the nation. The working and AOR of CAPFs are technical in nature and IPS officers being generalist in their working are now not the only best ones suited to exclusively lead them.
IPS know nothing about many operational things including war time role, even major and minor ops of war, they term this expertise as knowledge of “Nut and Bolts”. I couldn’t stop sharing one serious discussion when using of sections is discussed, one senior IPS started saying sections of IPC and CrPC! Can anything be more ridiculous than this! “Jao yar apna state ki policing sambhalo jiski nakami ki wajah se CAPFs ko requisition karte ho har chhoti badi chiz me”.
The police machinery itself is crumbling below the heavy load of prestigious IPS lobby who are busy in serving their interests. sagain the lower cadres of police are also frustated by the step treatment given to them. the entire focus of our system is on pampering these few officers who are not even able to bring a change in their own system. 2 years of lavish training is given to IPS officers who are going to use it only for few high profile cases. whereas the lower cadre who is the backbone of entire investigation procedure is still far away from the new growing challenges in the field. the focus should be on strengthening the investigating skills of these lower cadre officers. but who will do it
barring a few dedicated officers , most of the IPS officers are those who want to be an IAS officers but ends dont met their dreams. it is a well known fact that 90-95% IPS officers give upsc exam in every passed out batch in hope of becomming IAS. it is the same logic which they give for roadblocking the future avenues of CAPF cadre officers. officers like ABHINAV are frustated and their shitty language proves their professionalism. it seems like he has forgotton the skills acquired in SVPNPA(hope he was not busy in preparing for next attempt there)
taking a skip from their investigating duties they are now intersested in deputations . what will a person do for a force when he knows that he is going to stay here for only 5 years . what is the need of police personnals in border guarding forces? deputations only serve the purpose of honeymoon postings, gaining some medals and making a good CV for future avenues.
2 DGs for 4 forces is a alarming situation. when bureaucacy is so much effective at top brass who is going to ask about new cadre officers. delays in promotions for years and even in commencement of training for 12-15 months is a common phenomenon .
hope people will understand the professionalism level of so called TOP BRASS of india
The stand of the government on the whole issue of specialists vs generalists is quite confusing. On the one hand we have policies where calibre and need of “professionals of the field” -specialist lateral entries- are being appointed at Joint Secretary level in various Ministries bringing about a much needed change in the bureaucratic setup of the colonial times. On the other hand we are witnessing downright ignorance of the harm being done by generalists in the CAPFs which are today instrumental in keeping safe national security on the borderlands and the hinterlands. It is high time that the government recognise that specialists in CAPFs will make these indispensable forces more professional, efficient and economical.
Appalling how the Govt. of India is allowing such disgruntled officers to destroy the once-fine central paramilitary forces. That such rank indiscipline can be permitted in an armed force against its own top commanders, playing out shamelessly in the media, that too at a time the nation is facing the corona crisis and Chinese incursions on our borders, is alarming. How can the government tolerate this?
With almost seven decades of experience on ground and in handling their forces, CAPFs cadre Officers are qualified to run their own organizations. They have proved their mettle in Naxal dominated areas, handling militancy alongside the army in the valley.
IPS officers are not trained to handle war like situation at Pakistan and China borders. They are like “supervisors with zero commitment” towards armed forces. Most of the time their suggestions are out of the box, but of no use.
IPS claiming superiority over capf cadre officers on behest of tougher examination doesn’t hold water as CAPF are combat forces best run by home grown commanders leading from front and not by someone good at intellect only (as if capf is an internal security think tank of Police).
Lobbying should not be above the national interest. CAPF cadre officers are the backbone of internal security and the IPS lobby is constantly demoralising them. Irony is that the so called Nationalist government has turned a blind eye. If action is not taken, it is going to cost the nation in years to come.
The articles is a reflection of frustration and dissatisfaction the CAPF cadre officers are going through. Reading the article reminds me of a joke our batchmates used to crack on eachother, about getting retired as Dy Commdt (I am an Asst Commdt direct recruit). Mr Abhinav IPS should’ve understood that it is not the question of mere exam (UPSC Civil Services here) but more than that. Afterall, how will someone with their stomach full understand problems of the hungry. Also, regular comments by Mr Abhinav about action against any CAPF officer, who expresses his/her conern about their genuine rights reminds me how the British raj used to haunt anyone who raises voice against the raj. They did it indirectly, he’s doing it directly, no other difference. As brothers in uniform, they (the IPS) should understand the concern of CAPF officers and leave the forces to the cadre officers rather than clinging to CAPFs even when courts tell (order rather) them to move out. I’ve known IPS officers, who don’t “like” their cadre state and come to CAPFs on deputations just to spend time near their houses, while for a cadre officer, requesting for posting near hometown is a crime and discouraged invariably. Why is this step motherly treatment? Is it just because of one exam and may be sometimes by luck (many rankers in their interview say u need to have luck to get through) that someone got through civils exam and became IPS? It’s been 66 years the Britishers left us, and when we hated the discrimination by outsider, why do we follow the footsteps of the Britishers again? Its high time that Mr Abhinav and all other officers singing the song of IPS in CAPF at higher ranks need to rethink their logic once again.
Nowhere in the world, Armed forces are headed by the police officers. Government as well as IPS association playing with national security.
IPS officers should learn from Indian Navy which nurtured the Indian Coast Guards for 40 years and gracefully left. Now the CAPF are over-nurtured, IPS lobby should gracefully exit from it if they want any respect whatevever may be left for them.
Sir as we know IPS Officers also know there days in CAPF are over….so they are just frustrated and in frustration taking steps which os further downgrading their services whose reputation has been so hardly built by their seniors.
I would say to them ” SIR PLS GO WITH GRACE, WE ARE JUST FIGHTING WHATS HAS BEEN LONG DUE”
Excellent write up. CAPF officers are matured and capable to lead the forces. Time has come to be empowered by Govt, Better late than never.
It’s a grave injustice to the officers of CAPF denying their genuine rights for better career growth…the nation should not expect from the heart service from these officers unless and until their long term demands are met…the fuedalist attitude of IPS lobby causing threat to national security.
Counterparts/Enemy has Army officers as leaders of the Border Guarding Forces like Pakistan Rangers, BGB etc. CAPF cadre officers are trained and they perform their duties on the lines of Army officers. BSF, ITBPF etc have their in service courses modelled on the lines on Army courses. One has to be prepared to tackle the enemy/adversary/counterpart but having IPS officers at the helm of affairs defeat the purpose. This is a serious security lapse and the deputation of IPS officers in CAPFs is not in the national interest. Border guarding forces have to go for a limited offensive action and holding ground/defence of assigned areas during war. Only cadre officers are trained in war time role and they do undergo such exercises along with Army. AIS like IPS do have mandate to come on deputation at CPOs but not in Armed Forces of the Union including CAPFs.
Delaying of OGAS implementation is showing malafide intent of a powerful lobby .this intent won’t perpetuate anymore.
#OGAS2CAPF
आशा है अभिनव कुमार जी को उनका जबाब प्राप्त हो गया होगा। परंतु यह देखने वाली बात दोनों लेखकों की कार्यशैली और संबोधन में है। अभिनव कुमार जी ने कई बार केवल सूद शब्द का प्रयोग किया जबकि खुद इस आलेख में श्री सूद ने वरीय होकर भी हमेशा ही अभिनव कुमार लिखा है।
अभिनव कुमार जी को इससे सीखने की आवश्यकता है।
excellent article showing the ground realities .let us prayer to god that peoples sitting in AC rooms and serving in their honeymoon postings will understand it. The indian parasite service is making these organisations hollower on daily basis.
The malaise is deep-rooted and has not come up only recently. independent India saw the expansion of the police force. Vacancies and new openings were filled by men coming from the Hindu middle castes such as Ahirs, Gujjars, Kurmis and Jats, who were basically deeply religious. The result was that the police force became a predominantly Hindu force. Therefore, the need of a voluntary organisation to come to the rescue during communal riots was diminished and Hindu Mahasabha’s influence declined though, in 1952 elections, two members of the Hindu Mahasabha were elected to the Lok Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. As twilight descended on the British Raj, the number of Muslims in the Indian Army was about 30 per cent. Just six years later in 1953, it went down to merely two per cent and then only about one per cent in the late 1990s.
Over the years politicians have injected casteism and communalism into UP’s Police as well as its reserve force Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) which largely accounts for the brutalisation of the force.
Whenever there is large scale violence or apprehension of breach of peace in Uttar Pradesh, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), the reserved wing of the UP Police is invariably pressed into service to help the regular police in manning the law and order.
It is also often claimed that the PAC has the dubious distinction of exceeding the limits even of the barbarian rule. It may be only hindsight which shows that this force is intrinsically capable of outrageous behaviour.
It was the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who as Home Minister of the Interim Government before Independence, decided that the Indian Army would normally not be made available to the States for their internal security requirements and the State Governments were, therefore, advised to strengthen their own armed police reserves for this purpose.
Accordingly, the States started raising their special armed police battalions, organized more or less on the lines of Infantry battalions of the Army, but equipped with only such arms as were considered essentials for internal security duties.
At the time of Independence, UP already had 36 companies of an armed reserve called ‘The UP Military Police’. In view of the widespread turbulence that engulfed the State following Partition, the State Government decided to raise its strength and rechristened it “The UP Provincial Armed Constabulary” (PAC).
This reserved force is basically a striking crop not to be used for routine police duties. Being a strike force, it has been permitted a somewhat loose form of discipline with regard to resort to firing. No matter how necessary under the circumstances, this freedom probably contributed to its trigger-happy habits, personal arrogance and outrageous behaviour more becoming of a “private army” (as unconventional forces were called in the World War II) than a disciplined force.
As evident in other spheres of life, politics has also played havoc with this force consisting mainly of discarded IPS officers, out of turn promoted company commanders, and assistant commanders and rustic jawans from a rural background who have been thrown together in a sort of conglomeration.
This desperate mix, however, has failed to click because IPS officers posted in the central police forces and state reserve police forces usually mark their time and ou-of-turn promote officers develop a haughty and psychological outlook treating their subordinates as serfs who are often made to carry out private jobs of a menial nature.
The bulk of these forces, comprising sepoys, undergo untold misery, agony, seclusion, segregation and humiliation which, put together, makes them aggressive and arrogant. Absence of contact with the public in day to day life makes them immune to the qualities like understanding, tact, humanism and forbearance. No wonder, whenever they are pressed in routine police duties, horrifying tales come to light.
It acquired notoriety in 1973 as it revolted all over the state resulting in armed clashes with the police and Army. This led to the resignation of CM Kamla Pati Tripathi. Later, in the regime of Bahuguna ‘undesirable elements’ were weeded out of it. Again in 1982, it went on the rampage following its deployment to contain communal violence in Meerut. It ultimately acquired a communal image after the Maliana incident in the communal clashes engulfing Meerut in 1987.
As the stranglehold of caste, under the cover of “social justice”, and communal politics got tightened, some leaders of the “kulak” and religious lobbies, along with torch-bearers of the social justice brigade visualized this strike force to be a helpful accomplice in meeting their vested political and personal interests.
The “private army” of trigger-happy men usually enters unto an unholy alliance with their kinsmen in other spheres of life including the administration to unleash a reign of terror over other castes and communities, particularly the minorities and recently non-backward castes. This, in turn, has resulted in a more powerful grip of the leaders of casteist and communal forces over politics.
In the early 1980s, the Union Home Ministry had sent a note to all Chief Ministers on the “state of police morale and discipline in the country” in the wake of widespread discontent and unrest in the police in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The observations are still relevant.
The note said, “…large scale agitations are organized in various parts of the country and the police forces are called upon to deal with these agitations. There would be no cause for police to act if the agitations remained peaceful. However, a disturbing trend is noticed in that the agitations turn violent and force the police into taking deterrent action. This is utilised to charge the Government of excesses through the police machinery and, thus, the police forces are constantly under a threat of public criticism.
“Instances of political interference in the working of the Police Department are not uncommon. Such interference, particularly in matters of postings, transfers and promotions, has a demoralizing effect on the efficiency of the force. A general impression gets created that efficiency and merit may not get true recognition and only those officers and men who are in a position to secure extra-departmental influence thrive. Political interference, even on behalf of the anti-social elements, is noticed.
“The working conditions of the policemen also leave considerable scope for attention and improvement. Apart from the long and uncertain hours of work, even other basic amenities seem to be denied to the policeman his family.”
Whenever there is large scale violence or apprehension of breach of peace in the country, the police are pressed into service to man the law and order and invariably the police become the whipping boy on account of its alleged barbarism. It may be only hindsight which shows that this force is intrinsically capable of outrageous behavior in the want of much-needed police reforms.
It has also become a routine and fashion for liberals and some human rights organisations to cry foul whenever these forces are pressed into service.
The policymakers and politicians in power may not be oblivious of the deep-rooted malaise in the police force but successive governments in the Centre, as well as States, failed grandly and gravely to take concrete steps to make the law-enforcing agencies effective, impartial to make the country in which the rule of law reigned supreme.
Thank you so much, Anil Maheshwari ji, for taking pains to write such a brilliant, informative and analytical piece of text on the topic at hand. I was much enlightened by going through this with much concentration.