Should Army Chief Make Political Statements? Gen Rawat Kicks Up A Row After Saying Badaruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF Grew Faster Than BJP

Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat has kicked up a row after saying that Badaurddin Ajma’s AIUDF has grown faster than the BJP to buttress his point about influx of Bangladeshis into the Northeast.

General Rawat's remark has now thrown up a debate as to whether the army chief can or should make political statements.

On Wednesday, addressing a conference on bridging gaps and securing borders in the Northeast region, Gen Rawat had said that a "planned" influx of people from Bangladesh into the Northeast is taking place as part of a proxy warfare by Pakistan with support from China with an aim to keep the area disturbed.

Referring to reports of increase in Muslim population in several districts of Assam, the Army Chief also talked about Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) in the state, observing that its growth has been "faster" than that of the BJP in the 1980s. 

His statement has come at a time two north-eastern  states-Meghalaya and Nagaland- are on the verge of assembly elections scheduled, to be held on  February 27, where cross-border migration remains to be one of the biggest poll issues.

"A planned immigration is taking place because of our western neighbour. They will always try and ensure that this area is taken over, playing the proxy dimension of warfare," he said.

"I think the proxy game is very well played by our western neighbour, supported by our northern border (China) to keep the area disturbed. We will continue to see some migration happening. The solution lies in identifying the problem and holistically looking at it," he said.

Then came his controversial reference to the AIUDF.

"There is a party called AIUDF. If you look at it, they have grown in a faster time-frame than the BJP grew over the years," he said, while referring to the BJP winning only 2 seats in 1984. "The AIDUF is moving at a faster pace in Assam."

The AIUDF, which was formed in 2005 with an aim to champion the cause of Muslim community, currently has three parliamentarians in Lok Sabha and 13 legislators in the state assembly.

The Army chief said the solution to the problem lies in ensuring development of the region by taking a holistic approach.

"I do not think you can now change the population dynamics of the area. If it was five districts to eight to nine, inversion has taken place whichever be the government.”

Reacting to Gen Rawat’s remarks, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said it isn't the job of the Army chief to comment on political parties.

"What, the Army Chief should not interfere in political matters it is not his work to comment on the rise of a political party, democracy and the Constitution allows it and Army will always work under an elected civilian leadership," tweeted Owaisi.

Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh also questioned the Army Chief saying that the Indian army has always been non political. "It don’t make political statement. This is a dangerous trend. Govt should take note (sic)," he said on Twitter.

The Army, however, maintained that there is nothing political or religious in the chief’s talk. “Army Chief just mentioned amalgamation and development in the seminar on North-East organised at DRDO Bhawan on 21 Feb 18,” Army stated as quoted by ANI.

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said: “AIUDF is working for the downtrodden. this is why our popularity is growing faster than BJP. We are hopeful that people of Assam irrespective of caste & creed, will accept AIUDF and our party will come to power soon,” as quoted by ANI.