Indian soldiers who fought WW-I were hired assassins: Katju in blog

The former Supreme Court judge then went on to give an insight into the WW-I and the reason why the triple alliance of England, France and Russia fought against Germany and Austria.

While giving this background, Justice Katju argued that the First World War had nothing to do with the Indian and that it was fought for redistribution of colonies.

He said the Indian soldiers who fought in that war “were really mercenaries and hirelings of the British and French”. “They may have been brave, but many hired assassins are also brave. Why then should we honour them,” he questioned.

Not surprisingly his comments have riled many in the Indian defence community, including Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh of the erstwhile royal state of Patiala. Patiala state had sent one of the largest contingents of soldiers to the British effort in the war.
Attacking Justice Katju, Capt Amarinder said he should not make comments on issues about which he has no knowledge. “What he has written in his blog is an insult to the Indian Army and its regiments,” he said.

As many as 62,000 Indian soldiers are officially listed as having died in the four-year long war.