Ex-chiefs deplore VK Singh's remarks on Parliament

Former army chief VK Singh's call for dissolution of Parliament and its gherao has raked up a debate whether a man who has commanded the 1.3 million-strong force should be making such demands involving the highest institutions of democracy.

Former army chief VK Singh's call for dissolution of Parliament and its gherao has raked up a debate whether a man who has commanded the 1.3 million-strong force should be making such demands involving the highest institutions of democracy.

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Recent statements by Singh, first for dissolving the Parliament and then about its gherao in support of sugarcane farmers, have evoked mixed reactions from his predecessors and colleagues.

"It is not befitting of an ex-army chief to indulge in such activities. Even after retirement, he is looked upon by the serving people as their ex-chief and such things do not seem good."

"The Parliament is a supreme body in a functioning democracy of ours and cannot and should not be held hostage on any issue," Singh's predecessor Gen Deepak Kapoor said.

Supporting his move to join politics, Maj Gen (retd) GD Bakshi said when 70% of the American presidents can be ex-servicemen, then why can't Gen Singh enter politics.

"He is well within his rights to join politics as an ex-army chief as it is not just the domain of corrupt and criminals," he said.

Another former Army chief Gen VP Malik said legally there was nothing wrong in what Gen Singh was doing but it was "inappropriate" on his part on propriety issues.