Rawat comments on students’ CAA stir triggers political row

Leaders emerge from crowds but are not those who lead people in “inappropriate directions”, added the Army chief while addressing a gathering at a health summit here. He said leaders are those who lead people in the right direction. Since both Houses of Parliament approved amendments to the citizenship law, protests - sometimes violent - have taken place across the country. “What is so complex about leadership, if it is all about leading. Because when you move forward, everybody follows. It is not that simple. It appears simple, but it is a complex phenomenon,” Rawat said. 

The Opposition party, including the Congress attacked him, who is due to retire on December 31 as Army Chief, for making remarks on political issues. Congress Spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa too slammed Gen Rawat for his remarks. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said leadership is about knowing the limits of one’s office. “It is about understanding the idea of civilian supremacy and preserving the integrity of the institution that you head,” he said.  Opposition parties hit out at Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat after he publicly criticised people leading protests and demanded an apology from him. Rights activist Yogendra Yadav took a dig at Rawat saying, “I agree with him, yes leaders should lead (people) in the appropriate direction. I am absolutely sure, he has the Prime Minister of this country in mind when talking about that.” After Rawat’s remarks generated a storm, the Army issued a clarification, saying he did not refer to the CAA. “He has not referred to any political event, personality. He was addressing the future citizens of India who are students. It is his righteous duty to guide students on whom shall depend the future of the nation. In Kashmir valley, youths were misguided the first, by people whom they trusted as leaders,” the Army statement said.