The statement given by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan that army is the only place where there is no nepotism undoubtedly true to the hilt but the other angle which this statement is hinting at is intriguing because this particular remark means that other fields are marred by the scourge of nepotism, which is a matter of grave concern. The people sitting at helm should take this remark as very seriously as unlike their assurances, it seems that nepotism is still playing a spoilsport in recruitment processes. It is pertinent to mention that General Anil Chouhan has made this statement while interacting with school children. He had said, “The ‘Fauj’ (Army) is the only place where there is no nepotism… You should aspire to join the armed forces if you want to serve the nation, and explore the country and the world”.
Such statement coming right from horse’s mouth has raised a big question mark on the assertions made by the political class ruling the country in recent years that under their regime there is no room for corruption or nepotism as it often trumpeted that the government believes in zero tolerance against corruption but the aforesaid statement has simply contradicted this stand thus creating confusion in the minds of countrymen.
The government should seriously ponder over the real situation prevalent in the system. While a perception may have emerged that corruption upto some extent at the top level, but there have been ample instances of corruption and malpractices at higher, middle and lower and wherein one finds the corruption still deep rooted and going on brazenly in the states and Centre.
The Government should come clear on this stance clearing the status about prevalence of corruption and nepotism in various fields as no reply will simply mean that the counter measures taken by the government to contain corruption and nepotism have all gone into vain and whatever is being projected by people at helm about ending the corruption and nepotism is a farce rather than reality. All said and done, the remark made by General Anil Chauhan is not just praise for the armed forces, but also a strong reflection on the state of affairs in other sectors. His words have set a strong ground for a debate about the presence of nepotism and corruption in different sectors except the army. It is the time for the people sitting at helm to prove through action and not just words that they have tightened noose around the corrupt and blue-eyed with no scope left for delinquency of any kind.
