Government says no to compulsory military stint

[selvan33]

Government says no to compulsory military stint

The Union Government is not in favour of making military training compulsory to the youth of the country, Parliament was informed on Monday.

Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha that the government, though aware of the compulsory military training that certain nations around the world provide to their citizens, was not in favour of the idea as it would “lead to militarisation of an entire nation”.

“With our socio-political and economic conditions, it is highly undesirable, lest some of the unemployed youth trained in military skills join the ranks of the radical forces,” he said, giving out reasons for the government’s stand. India’s democratic polity and its Constitution that does not provide for such compulsory military training were also mentioned as the reasons. “... in our democratic set up, people are free to choose their professions... compulsion in respect of military training, it is felt, would go against the democratic ethos,” Antony said.

With the armed forces getting a large number of volunteers to draw upon, there was no problem in getting adequate number of recruits. All the youth of the country, therefore, do not compulsorily need to be given military training, he said.

Among the logistics and financial constraints, Antony noted that large number of training centres with adequate facilities would be required if everyone went for military training. “The likely benefits of imparting military training to all the youth will not be commensurate with the expenditure involved. This would translate into an unmanageable figure and will also be a big drain on limited resources of a developing country,” he said.

Moreover, the youth contribute to the productive workforce of the country and diversion of such workforce would be counterproductive for the nation as a whole, he said.
Government says no to compulsory military stint - The New Indian Express

 

[T90TankGuy]

There has never been a shortage of volunteers in India. even for officers in the ssb only 5% of those who apply are chosen.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Fair enough decision, strange reasoning though!

 

[Kloitra]

Fair enough decision, strange reasoning though!

Think of army trained Maoist, thugs or IM operatives. Though there was no need to say out loud.

 

[illusion8]

Makes sense - of course the Socio-political are the religious extremists, and the economic are the Maoists.

“With our socio-political and economic conditions, it is highly undesirable, lest some of the unemployed youth trained in military skills join the ranks of the radical forces,”

 

[Abingdonboy]

Think of army trained Maoist, thugs or IM operatives. Though there was no need to say out loud.

Over played a bit. The vast, vast majority would be regular Indians with no malicious intent. But I get what you're saying.



We will never know which way this project would've gone, I think there is room for such a program where youngsters are part of a project Le this but are not taught nessercarily about weapons and comber but just basic team building exercises, first aid, navigation, civil defence etc etc not about explosives and the like, this would be retarded! You'd still need to join the military for this kind of training and thus go under the extreme scrutiny and background checks that are associated with that.


But I think, personally, this shouldn't be mandatory as proposed so it is good this was defeated. If anyone wants to do the above sort of things (non military stuff) isn't there the NCC or somthing?

 

[neehar]

good decision.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

We don't have infrastructure to give military training to half a billion people.It would be unfeasible.

 

[SRP]

no conscription needed at all.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

Its not possible also...considering the huge amount of population we have.

 

[Ayush]

good decision..

 

[Armstrong]

good decision..

Abaiii teraa koiii wazan hii kum ho jataaa !

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

I think limited martial training can be given at school levels to keep the students healthy. Private schools keep various kinda classes to pool out money from parents. Govt school can have it. It will be good ,especially for girls, instead of outright conscription

 

[janon]

I think limited martial training can be given at school levels to keep the students healthy. Private schools keep various kinda classes to pool out money from parents. Govt school can have it. It will be good ,especially for girls, instead of outright conscription

Vitalizing the gym and sports in schools is a very good idea. Healthy minds can only reside in healthy bodies. In India, sports and physical activities in schools is often seen as a distraction from studies. That attitude should change, because being fit and healthy is equally important. Some form of martial arts for those who opt for it.

But military conscription? Hell, no. The Indian military is the largest volunteer force on earth, and proudly so. Our armed forces have some 1.5 million personnel and a million or so reservists, and they all volunteered to be there, every single one of them. They serve out of calling, not out of compulsion. They have answered the nation's call, NOT the nation's orders.

 

[scorpionx]

I think limited martial training can be given at school levels to keep the students healthy. Private schools keep various kinda classes to pool out money from parents. Govt school can have it. It will be good ,especially for girls, instead of outright conscription

I was thinking the same.Also colleges should promote adventure sports like trekking,river rafting etc more.