NEW DELHI: Already under attack over its handling of Sam Manekshaw's funeral, Manmohini Singh faced questions over Field Marshals being kept out of the warrant of precedence that apparently delayed announcement of a state funeral for the iconic former Army Chief.
Though since 1973, three eminent military personalities - SHFJ Mankeshaw, K M Cariappa, and Arjan Singh - have been upgraded to the post of Marshals, yet the Warrant has not included them. The warrant was updated as late as 2007.
As news of Manekshaws death on Friday broke, it was Defence Minister Antony who spoke to PM Manmohan Singh that the countrys first Field Marshal should be given a State funeral keeping his stature and services to the nation, sources said. Our PM is spending sleepless nights thinking about terrorists like Afzal Guru & their well being has no time for our war heroes who put their lives on the line. It is time to stop the circus of Congress by Singh, Patil & clown Lalu.
