Dear Folks, I will unfold one more dimension of his guts and courage. This is an incident off battle field. Though this could be never confirmed but this news was in great circulation that in 1977 when Indira Gandhi lost the general election and Janta Party secured landslide victory, before handing over she called the Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw midnight and offered that let the Indian Army take over the country and the Defence Forces will let rule Mrs. Gandhi as PM by declaration of the election results as null and void. Mrs. Gandhi thought that the Field Marshal was conferred to him by none other than herself, Sam will follow her. Showing the supreme courage, Sam got up, salute her and said that the Indian Army will never come out of its barracs to interfere in the democratic process as its role and responsibility is well defined. Thus, Sam Maneckshaw averted the country to be thrown to Military Junta. That is courage ! Wish him an early recovery and long life.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by PKN on Jun 26, 2008 01:46 PM Permalink
Observer, this is a cock and bull story that cannot stand scrutiny:- 1. The Field Marshal post is purely ceremonial and it would have been stupid for Indira Gandhi to try and achieve this goal through some one like Sam Manekshaw. She could have tried using the services of the Chief of Army Staff. 2. Indira Gandhi would have known that the Indian army would never have even dreamt of taking political powers. It did not even do so during the 60's when military dictatorships rule around India. Though Nehru suspected that General Thimmiyya would be tempted to follow on the lines of Gen Ayub Khan and try some misadventure. But that did not happen - Finally while Indira Gandhi was not averse to bending rules to stay in power it is unlikely that she would have asked for military coup to keep herself in power- she was too much of democrat to do that.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by Arif Rashid on Jun 26, 2008 01:49 PM Permalink
You can be a good story writer. Try your luck in this field, may be you can get some sort of award one day.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by PKN on Jun 26, 2008 01:49 PM Permalink
Observer, this is a false story that cannot stand scrutiny:- 1. The Field Marshal post is purely ceremonial and it would have been stupid for Indira Gandhi to try and achieve this goal through some one like Sam Manekshaw. She could have tried using the services of the Chief of Army Staff. 2. Indira Gandhi would have known that the Indian army would never have even dreamt of taking political powers. It did not even do so during the 60's when military dictatorships rule around India. Though Nehru suspected that General Thimmiyya would be tempted to follow on the lines of Gen Ayub Khan and try some misadventure. But that did not happen - Finally while Indira Gandhi was not averse to bending rules to stay in power it is unlikely that she would have asked for military coup to keep herself in power- she was too much of democrat to do that.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by True Indian on Jun 26, 2008 02:28 PM Permalink
What Mr. Observer is saying is 100 percent correct. I am from defence background and let me tell u, every senior defence officer knows this story. To add to what observer has commented, Field Marshal Manikshah was the first and last field marshal of India. It was the only post in Indian Constitution, which was more powerful than prime minister but less to president. If Field marshal wishes, he can order indian forces to take over pariliament and government. these rights were given to him by president of india. After the above quoted incident, field marshal post was removed because Indira realised that this guy has guts and official power to deny her orders. After that, even the post of field marshal was removed from indian Army. and subsequently maniskshaw got his retirement. because know one will demote from his post.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by hindu on Jun 26, 2008 07:15 PM Permalink
I have also heard that he asked Sanjay gandhi to shut up or something to that effect when Sanjay tried to intervene
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by anil sharma on Jun 26, 2008 05:17 PM Permalink
you are right .i too had been part of indian forces for 15 years and this story remains in circulation among officers as well as jawans .
RE:RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by Pat Thakur on Jun 26, 2008 06:06 PM Permalink
Story or not, the general outcome of it is 100% true - I mean the fact that FIELD MARSHAL SAM MANEKSHAW was a courageous & lion - hearted Son of India who Detested & Defied the Interference of Political Obstinacy in Army Affairs.
Then you must have been away from India, in 1983, when the same honorary rank of Field Marshal was was conferred on the only other Field Marshal of the Indian Army -- Kodandera Madappa Cariappa.
RE:Greater Hero off battle field
by manish on Jun 26, 2008 01:06 PM Permalink
Do not sprad the wrong informations !! please make sure that the informations are correct before writing!!!! MR. OBSERVER>
