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Battle for Bhagwat to enter Bombay high court

Battle-hardened Lieutenant General (retired) Prem Nath Hoon is the latest to take up for dismissed navy chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat -- and he plans to take the battle right into the Bombay high court.

Lt Gen Hoon, thus, would file a writ petition, questioning the government's controversial decision.

"As members of public we have the right to know as to why Admiral Bhagwat was sacked," says the former director of military affairs, "Merely Defence Minister George Fernandes stating the situation was scary and disturbing is not enough."

"The government needs to explain why the situation was scary," Lt Gen Hoon continues, "Was there attempts of a military coup? If that is so, just sacking is not enough."

In an hour-long press conference that the retired lt general gave in Bombay, there were hectic deliberations between him and the media. All were surprised when Lt Gen Hoon stated, "I am here neither in support of Admiral Bhagwat, nor of the BJP-led alliance government."

He was only interested in arriving at the truth, he said.

Lt Gen Hoon has served on the front during the Chinese aggression and the Indo-Pak wars, and also as a secretary to the defence minister.

"Are we living in an era of political dictatorship?" he demands, "If not why is the information denied?"

The unprecedented decision to sack the navy chief raises various important issues. The statements by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Fernandes allege a series of defiance of the established system of cabinet control of armed forces, threat to the established structure of democracy, traditional neutrality and objectivity of armed forces, and security concerns, which led to very scary development, the retired officer said.

"All these allegations needs to be explained," he holds.

The only issue of defiance that has appeared openly, he continued, is the appointment of deputy chief of naval staff. "Does the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs believes that the appointment of any individual other than their choice will pose a threat to the Cabinet's control of armed forces or to the national security?" Lt Gen Hoon questions.

"The people not only have the right to know, but must act and not remain passive to matters of grave national security, or when the democratic structure appears to be at risk," he adds.

UNI

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