
Sam Manekshaw: The brave soldier who said no to Indira Gandhi


(Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM)
MODESTY AND MORAL COURAGE (Modesty is a quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one’s own abilities. Modesty is also in harmony with Empathy, Creativity, Accountability, Compassion, Humility and Grit. Field Marshal Manekshaw fits into this frame. He was fondly called Sam Bahadur (Sam the Brave). A courageous man, Sam led by example. His distinguished career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with World War II and culminating in the 1971 Indo Pak war as Chief of the victorious Indian Army that liberated Bangladesh. In 1941, in Burma, he was hit by a burst of LMG bullets and received nine in the lung, liver and in his kidney: he was critically wounded. Major General DT Cowan, commanding the 17 Infantry Division was aware of Manekshaws valour in the battle and his serious injuries, he pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on Manekshaw saying, “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross.” Manekshaw was moved to the hospital. So grievous were his injuries that the surgeon was ready to give up on his bullet-riddled body until he asked Manekshaw what had happened. Sam’s reply was, “Nothing happened, I was kicked by a donkey.” A man who could joke even when grievously injured had a chance, the surgeon thought. And he did. Going on to become the eighth Chief of the Indian Army. He never lost his courage and humour. How did he get the nick name Sam Bahadur? Manekshaw never commanded a Gorkha regiment but was an avowed admirer of Gorkha soldiers. So impressed was he by their fighting skills and valour that he made this monumental remark: “If a soldier says he is not afraid of death, he is either lying or he is a Gorkha.” Once, a Gorkha soldier named Harka Bahadur Gurung, standing guard as a ceremonial sentry was asked by Sam in Gorkhali: “Mero naam ke ho? (What’s my name?)”. Without batting an eyelid, the soldier replied, “Sam Bahadur, saab.” Sam loved the quick response, and the name stuck. As a senior officer, Manekshaw was a decisive leader and an able listener who was always considerate to those under his command. He spoke with mirth and was famous for his irreverent jokes which kept those around him stress free. He would simply walk into his Staff Officer’s office if he had a point to discuss; this made his team comfortable relaxed and efficient. His humility was specifically highlighted when he was asked to go to Dhaka to accept the surrender of Pakistani forces at the end of 1971 war. Manekshaw declined the honour, saying that it belonged to the Eastern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora who had commanded the forces in that theatre. Such acts of Modesty won him great respect. He was equally strong in displaying Moral Courage. • As GOC of a Corps, he denied Indira Gandhi’s entry into the Operations Room during briefing of Prime Minister Nehru saying she had not taken the oath to secrecy of a Minister. Six years later as the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi accepted him as the Chief of the Indian Army. • In 1971, he steadfastly refused to follow the orders Mrs Indira Gandhi, for launching immediate military operations against East Pakistan. Pointing out that it would be premature and inopportune, he also told her in no uncertain terms that if she did not agree, she could appoint someone else. • His own views of a Yes Man: “A ‘Yes man’ is a dangerous man. He is a menace. He will go very far. He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshall but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected. He will be used by his superiors, disliked by his colleagues and despised by his subordinates. So discard the ‘Yes man’.“ 95 Indian Mountain Brigade entered East Pakistan on 3 Dec 1971 from Kamalpur Border Out Post (BOP) defended by a company of 31 Baluch, platoon of Rangers and Razakaars. The BOP had well-prepared defences including concrete bunkers. They fought resolutely and finally surrendered on 4 Dec. The bravery and tenacity of the young Pak Company commander Captain Ashan Malik was appreciated by General Manekshaw who stated that “Militarily his performance was excellent” and that he should be shown special courtesy as a POW. India captured over 90,000 Pakistani troops in the 1971 war. They were all treated with the dignity due to a POW. Sam was the first Indian officer to reach at Delhi Railway Station to meet the Pakistani POWs. He shared a cup of tea and chatted with them for some time. The POWs were seen shaking their heads, saying that they wished they had generals like this in Pakistan. This photograph speaks volumes of Sam’s character, strength and confidence.
