Indian Army Says Proposed Code Of Conduct For Retired Soldiers Will Not Be Legally Binding On Veterans: Report

After facing criticism over the proposed code of conduct for veterans, the Indian Army has clarified that the it will not be binding on retired officers and will not have any punitive measures, Army sources have said, reports India Today.

The plan of the Army to formulate a code of conduct for retired officers was made public recently by former adjutant Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar before his retirement.

The development comes as the Army believes that some of its retired officers “needlessly and irresponsibly attack” it on social media over the policies being implemented by it.

The Army has said that the code was still at discussion stage and that it will take the views of veterans after finalising the draft of the code of conduct.

However, Army veterans were not pleased with the move of the Army and some of them voiced their opposition to it.

Following the controversy, Army has clarified that the code of conduct, if and when it takes shape, will only be in the form of an advisory.

"These will be guidelines and restricted to protocol issues regarding veterans. There will be no gag on freedom of speech or any other rights as it is being speculated," a senior army officer was quoted in the report as saying.

"It will not be compulsive nor will it be punitive," the officer added.

As per the report, officials said that whatever code is made it will not be drafted without proper feedback from the veteran community and they will be taken on board and their suggestions will be taken.

Further, the Army will also hold discussion with the Indian Ex-Service League, a body of military veterans.