On July 6, chances are that India Gate in central Delhi will witness protestsby ex-servicemen demanding more pay. Ironically, the same men would havespent the better part of their service life quelling similar protests in the name of thestate. Needless to say, in a democracy, there is a legitimate right to protest,but as former soldiers don their new avatar as protestors rather thanprotectors of the state, it is time to question whether it is befitting for themto be taking recourse to such protests. After all, the services enjoy a prestige and discipline that is farremoved from government service, as it is understood in this day and age. In theservices, one may question the decision of their superiors rarely, but if youmust, then it must be through the "proper" channels. Coming on to thestreets and shouting slogans like any other lumpen variety of protestors ishardly befitting the uniform that they have donned for the better part of theirlives.