Institutional Challenges Confronting the Indian Armed Forces: The Moral and Ethical Dimension

The phenomenon of the apparent lowering of both personal and institutional moral and ethical standards in the armed forces is not limited to India. What is missing is an open debate on the complexities that drive the modern day profession of arms and the need for a mutually supporting relationship between the armed forces and the institutions of a democracy, especially at a time when newer forms of security threats are emerging. In this changing order, the society, Parliament, the government, media, and the armed forces need to look within with a view to restoring a healthy balance in this relationship in order to regain the moral and ethical high ground on which this relationship rests. The setting up of a Blue Ribbon Commission would serve the purpose of proposing a blueprint for further debate and adoption.