PM should start Gujarat Regiment', says Javed Akhtar

Mumbai: Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has stated that there is no comparison between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her present counterpart Narendra Modi.  

Mentioning that while the Indian Army has regiments from various regions and communities, Mr Akhtar, who was speaking at an event, Mumbai Collective, also said Mr Modi should start a Gujarat Regiment as no such unit exists presently and people from Surat and Ahmedabad should join it.

However, defence experts said that while regiments such as the Sikh Regiment, Gorkhas Rifles, Bihar Regiment, Assam Regiment and Jat Regiment used to follow a recruitment process on the basis of region, ethnicity, caste or religion, such views are not prevalent any more.

Mr Akhtar said, “We have had so many regiments in the Army like the Sikhs, Marathas, Rajputs. But have we ever had a Gujarat regiment? Since our Prime Minister has great love and pride in the Indian Army of late, I would urge him to raise a Gujarat regiment so the swayamsevaks from the region can join the Army”.

Retired Col H. Dandekar said, “The regiment is the raising, equipping and training of troops. It has its own colours, coat of arms, uniform and insignia.”

Asked why there is no Gujarat regiment, he said, “After Independence, the Indian Army inherited the British Indian Army’s organisational structure, which is still maintained today. So as per the British system, an Indian infantry regiments responsibility is not to undertake field operations but to provide battalions and well-trained personnel to field formations. That’s why it can be seen that battalions of the same regiment spread across several brigades, divisions, corps, and commands.”

He added, “The political system has tried to disband this kind of unique selection criteria but was met with no success and support.”