The military in essence is a social organisation, though with clearly defined goals and objectives that every member is expected to work for. At the same time, by the very nature of its role and functioning, it has to be a hierarchical institution, though with its own characteristics of egalitarianism. It is important that we judge specific incidents within this broader framework. As a social organisation, the military would inevitably reflect changes happening in society at large — but it creates its own norms to deal with those changes.

The wider society in India is affected by divergent and often contradictory trends — one set in motion by the urban, educated well-to-do segment, and the other rooted in the traditional rural culture. If the latter segment of our society today invests caste with a greater salience, for instance, surely the armed forces would also reflect a similar tendency. In a hierarchical military institution with a proven record of ethnic pluralism, the rank structure has assumed the value and importance of the caste system within the larger ‘service family’, besides being seen as the symbol of authority and responsibility in functional terms.

In spite of Indian society having moved a long distance on the road to egalitarianism, easy acceptance of inter-caste marital arrangements, especially those not endorsed by family and community, is rare. But even in the most enlightened community, it would be strange to see society cast the onus only on women. A proposed inter-caste marriage would probably be discussed among the elders — not just of the concerned family. The final decision could go against humanitarian concerns or the constitutional rights of the persons involved. But the effort to sustain social norms is likely to dominate.

... contd.