Click to play videoNew Delhi: Army General VK Singh's age row has put the UPA government in a tight spot. Singh is now believed to be seeking legal opinion after the Ministry of Defence rejected his statutory complaint on the age row.
The defence ministry on December 30 rejected his statutory complaint seeking a change in his year of birth from 1950 to 1951 in the official records.
The controversy has now taken a political turn after Singh meet with Finance Minster Pranab Mukherjee and the personal support of former Punjab Chief Minster Amarinder Singh in the matter.
Singh says go by what the Adjutant General's branch lists his date of birth as May 10, 1951. The same date reflects in his school leaving certificate, his military ID card even his license and passport.
The controversy that started five years ago peaked during the Sukhna land investigations. Singh the then Eastern Army Commander ensured strict action was taken against Avadesh Prakash, the main accused in the land scam and a man who was the head of the Military Secretary branch holding the age records.
Singh's friends and ex-servicemen some of whom have approached the SC believe the issue is not about a date anymore but about the morale of the force and the integrity of the man who leads them. At the very least, common courtesy demanded that an Army chief's retirement date should not have been the subject of controversy after he was appointed.
The age row could go to court or worse, still leave the political leadership red faced if the General takes the unprecedented step of quitting before his tenure. The Ministry faces an acid test, many are saying the moral courage not just of the Chief but the entire establishment is at stake.
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