Row over low attendance at Manekshaw146;s funeral hots up

The absence of the three Service Chiefs at Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw8217;s funeral on Friday in contrast with full attendance...

The absence of the three Service Chiefs at Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw8217;s funeral on Friday in contrast with full attendance of the top military brass at KM Cariappa8217;s cremation in 1993 has turned into a major controversy.

While the Military said non-inclusion of the rank of Field Marshal in the national warrant of precedence led to confusion and lack of clear orders, top ministry sources made it clear that the matter of attendance at the funeral was left to the judgement of the three Service Chiefs.

The low political and military turnout at Manekshaw8217;s funeral blew up into a major row after objections were raised by both serving and retired defence personnel. While all three Service Chiefs and a Union Cabinet Minister attended Cariappa8217;s cremation in 1993, the senior most political representative at Manekshaw8217;s funeral was Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju and the armed forces were led by Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen M L Naidu.

While the Army had a valid reason as General Deepak Kapoor was on a tour to Russia, the other two chiefs were present in Delhi. This, insiders say, once again points at the lack of cohesiveness between the forces.

Top government officials confirmed that while Antony was keen on attending the funeral, he was held back due to urgent political commitments in Delhi. But he deputed the Minister of State for Defence for the function.

However, the Navy and the Air Force failed to send any senior officer. Forget the Vice-Chiefs, the two armed forces deputed only two-star level officers from local formations near Wellington to attend the function. This, insiders say, is more of a sore point for the Army than the absence of Antony at the function.

Defence watchers say the entire controversy could have been avoided if set rules were laid and the rank of Field Marshal included in the warrant of precedence. However, the Government8217;s failure to include the rank even after the appointment of three five-star level officers since Independence is being seen as a serious lapse.

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The announcement of a state funeral for the top officer was also delayed considerably due to the exclusion from the warrant of precedence. Sources said Antony had to personally call up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to request for a state funeral for Manekshaw.

While Defence Ministry officials approached the Home Ministry for the state funeral, it is learnt that certain officials initially refused as the rank did not figure in the warrant of precedence. The matter was resolved only after the Defence Secretary cited direct orders from the PMO.