Why it is important to fix Cantonment entry row

Over 13,000 petitions have been signed on change.org against the government’s order of giving access to civilians in Cantonments

vishwas

Vishwas Dass | June 7, 2018


#Defence Ministry   #Army   #Cantonment  
Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY
Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY

The defence ministry’s decision to allow civilians’ movement in the Cantonment area needs a serious review it has turned relationship between the Army and the civilians sour.

Recently, in Pune BJP party workers were seen celebrating the defence ministry’s decision of permitting civilians into the Cantonment areas was indeed shameful as it dents the image of the Indian Army. The Army has never done anything which has hurt the sentiments of civilians. The workers hailed the decision and even carried out processions as if they had won some kind of war with the Army, the same army which is protecting our frontiers.

According to news reports, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that 850 roads were closed in Cantonments out of which 119 were blocked without complying with the prescribed norms.

It should be understood that Cantonments are areas where the army is stationed permanently and carries out many important operations. Cantonments house military personnel and their families, armours, military installations and weapons as well. They should be well protected.

However, it should be examined whether all of such roads have been closed as per the rules. Civilians living around Cantonment areas have all rights to pass through such zones but the security mechanism of the army should not be compromised. Civilians’ access should not interfere with Army’s installations.

A news report says that over 13,000 petitions have been signed on change.org against the government’s order of giving access to civilians in Cantonment area. Some reports suggest that even army personnel’s wives have also raised concerns over their families’ security and have requested the defence minister to roll back the decision.

In a similar incident, army personnel were seen performing exercise on a road in Secunderabad Cantonment which resulted into traffic blockage, leaving locals in the lurch. The residents posted pictures of personnel on social media and urged the defence ministry to look into it. Such incidents will only damage the relationship between the army and the civilians.

By allowing civilians to freely roam around the Cantonment areas, the government has triggered a major controversy that needs immediate redressal. If such incidents are not resolved with precision, the rift between the army and the civilians will only widen.

 

Comments

 

Other News

NIEPID, Jai Vakeel Foundation sign MOU to scale quality education for Children with Intellectual Disability

To address the need for a uniform curriculum for children with Intellectual Disability in India an MOU was signed between the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities  (NIEPID) and Jai Vakeel Foundation(JVF) in the presence of Rajesh Aggarwal, secretary, department

Why Right to Peace matters

The world has become less peaceful over the past few years, chiefly because of external armed conflicts. While the world leaders claim to value peace and the respect for human rights and commit to restore peace when it is breached, the global peacefulness remains defined by conflicts, deaths, and the large

Rise in gold prices: Boon or bane for the Indian family?

In India, gold is not just a commodity; it is tradition, sentiment, security and status rolled into one. It sparkles in wedding ceremonies, rests silently in lockers and forms the bedrock of generational wealth for millions. It is no exaggeration to say that Indians do not merely buy gold – they pres

Beyond participation: Why Indian women need economic justice

India pronounced its commitment to gender equality, decent work and inclusive participation in economic, political and social spheres for women. While the rhetoric of progress fills the air, the lived reality for millions of women in India paints a starkly different picture. Despite carrying a heavy worklo

NSE ranks 4th globally in IPO fundraising

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has emerged as the fourth largest exchange in the world in terms of IPO fundraising during the first half of calendar year 2025 (H1CY25), according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Between January and June 2025, the NSE raised $5.51

On World Youth Skills Day, let’s ask: What will it take to retain Gen Z?

On World Youth Skills Day, observed every year on July 15, we’re reminded that the future of any economy depends on how well it invests in its youth. In India, where over half the population is under 30, the question of youth skills is not just about employment, it’s about meaning, wellbeing, a

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now





Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter