The latest controversy over the Army Chief V K Singh approaching the Supreme Court to rectify his Birth Date has aroused extreme reactions amongst the people.
I find it amusing that many berate him for going to the Court at all to amend his Birth Date and in his words 'to protect his honour'.
Somehow, as a nation, we dont seem to believe in individual rights, and a person's option to take the perfectly justified judicial recourse for a solution to his grievance. V K Singh has all the rights to approcah the Court - frankly, that is what the Courts are for, in the first place. And why one should confuse his filing a case to protect his rights, should be clubbed with the 'honour' of the nation and morale of the army is besides me.
I am sure V K Singh going to the Court will have no impact on his performance as an Army Chief nor on his interactions with the Ministry - why should it? Any professional can have a disagreement but can work without affecting his productivity. I have difference of opinions with my Board of Directors and Colleagues on many issues, but we carry on gamely, putting the particular issue aside.
We, in India, seem to think that going to the Court against someone is an offense and something undesirable. It is not so. Neethi and Nyayam are ingrained in our culture. Every single person should get both Neethi and Nyayam - and that includes the Chief of Army Staff.
