When a Soldier Prays

Maj Gen Mrinal Suman (Sify 30 Dec 2008)

In the wake of allegations being made in the Malegaon blast case, aspersions are being cast on the secular credentials of the Indian Army. Even in social gatherings, one of the familiar questions posed to military officers pertains to Indian soldiers’ approach to religion. When told that religion is a unifying factor for the Army and not a divisive one, most people find it difficult to believe. Their skepticism is quite understandable. In a country infected by the virus of factionalism of all hues, the Army does stand out as an exception. People want to know as to how the Army maintains its cohesion and unity despite the fact that Indian soldiers are known to be highly religious by nature.

To comprehend the issue, it is essential to understand that the Army thrives on traditions and conventions. Its ethos is based on a culture of synergistic functioning for the safety of the country and mutually accommodative demeanor. Being a highly structured and dynamic institution it has to develop and follow well laid down norms for its continued sustenance. Norms are unwritten rules. Norms can be descriptive (what to do or Dos) and proscriptive (what not to do or Don’ts). Norms get evolved due to precedents and conventions set over a period of time. A few examples are discussed below to illustrate the point.

Commanders’ Deportment

“A commander has no personal religion; his troops’ religion is his religion” is the norm every officers swears by. It does not mean that a commander cannot follow his own religion. It implies that a commander does not display his religious affiliation in front of his troops and his own religion remains confined to his personal domain. He identifies himself with his troops fully and participates enthusiastically in every religious function that his troops celebrate. Some non-Muslim officers commanding predominantly Muslim troops keep ‘Rozas’ during the month of Ramadan. That is their way of showing solidarity with their troops. Similarly, Muslim officers attend functions in temples and Gurudwaras with their Hindu and Sikh troops.

No religious pictures or other symbols are ever displayed in any office. Similarly, ‘tilaks’ or other religious signs are not allowed to be worn with uniform or in social interactions. It is a proscriptive norm in the Army that religion, politics and women are never discussed in messes and social interactions. The aim is to keep all potentially divisive and contentious issues out of public domain. Similarly, no jokes with religious overtones are ever cracked.

Attitudes are Moulded by Environment

Soldiers have to function in environments of extreme privations and risks. Serving in remote and uncongenial areas makes soldiers highly god-fearing. They seek divine protection and this protection is welcome from any god of any religion. “My god versus your god” is a pastime of people who are well ensconced in the secure and comfortable milieu of their homes with time to spare. However, when threat to life looms large, religious differences are forgotten and prayers are sent up to any god who cares to listen. It is an amazing transformation in human psyche.

Siachen glacier is the highest and most hostile battlefield in the world. A large number of casualties are suffered due to enemy action, low temperatures (up to minus 30 degrees), shortage of oxygen, intense ultra-violet rays, protracted snow blizzards, avalanches and crevasses. At the base of the glacier, there is a shrine of Siachen Baba (popularly called as OP Baba). It is a multi-faith temple. Although its origin is shrouded in mystery, soldiers have an unwavering faith in this 'guardian deity' for protection against vagaries of nature and enemy hostilities. Every soldier, whatever his religious beliefs, visits the shrine before getting inducted into the glacier. No one knows and no one wants to find out which religion Siachen Baba belongs to. It is a most gratifying sight to see prayer flags of all religions being planted side by side and fluttering in icy winds. Self preservation obliterates all differences.

The above is not a solitary example. At Khardung La (highest motorable road in the world at 18,380 feet), there is a temple of Khardung La Baba. At Chang La, there is a temple dedicated to Chang La Baba. Again, these shrines do not carry any religious tags. Every soldier bows and says his prayers to seek divine protection. Even in peace locations, the Army has many multi-faith shrines, called ‘Sarva Dharma Sthal’. During the preparation for nuclear tests, a similar multi-faith shrine was raised at Pokhran. All troops, irrespective of their personal faith, prayed jointly every morning for the success of the nationally important task assigned to the unit.

Ethos of Respect for all Religions

Respect for all religions is ingrained in every soldier right at the time of his enrolment in the Army. Desecration of any place of worship is an act totally repugnant to Indian soldiers. Commanders keep an eye on likely roguish elements. Deterrent punishment is meted out for demeanor considered offensive to any religion. When a unit came across a deserted Masjid in the captured Pakistani territory in Sialkot sector in 1971, it requested for Muslim troops from a neighbouring unit to handle copies of the holy book. Utmost respect was shown to the holy place.

It is a norm in the Army that all religious festivals are celebrated jointly. At Janmashtmi function, activities pertaining to managing footwear of devotees and distribution of ‘prasad’ are undertaken by non-Hindu soldiers. Similarly, these tasks are performed by non-Sikh troops on Gurpurab celebrations. It is heartening to see non-Sikh soldiers dressed up as traditional volunteers to assist the organizers.

In all units having multi-faith troops, it is mandatory for all religious teachers of all faiths to participate in every religious festivity. For a Hindu function, both Gyani and Maulvi would be invited. They address the congregation and highlight commonality of unifying aspects of all religions. Similarly, Pandit and Maulvi address Sikh devotees in a Gurudwara. The basic thrust of all discourses is – “to fight jointly for the defence of India is every soldier’s supreme Dharma and every thing else is secondary”. There cannot be a more satisfying sight than to see three different religious teachers sitting on the dais and sharing common bonds.

The Future

The Army has proved its secular credentials repeatedly during the last six decades of independence. It has been called for aid to civil authority to maintain law and order on numerous occasions. Not once has any finger been raised at its fair and just conduct. Even today, all citizens under duress demand presence of the olive green. Their faith in the neutrality of Indian soldiers is total. The Army’s edifice of religious unity is too strong to be threatened by political expediency and divisive agenda of some self-serving entities. On the contrary, it is time all countrymen imbibe Army’s ethos of according supremacy to larger national interests. Although religion is a matter of individual faith, emulation of Army’s practice of promoting jointness will help develop mutual understanding. Religious dissentions must be curbed as they weaken the country by giving rise to fissiparous tendencies.