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Thread by @ragarwal: "1/ A thread on Gen Thimayya's resignation, subsequent withdrawal. 1st little about his credentials. The only Indian offr to have commanded a […]"

Author: Rohit Agarwal
Publication: Threadreader App
Date: October 30, 2018
URL:      https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1057178622006484992.html

1/ A thread on Gen Thimayya's resignation, subsequent withdrawal. 1st little about his credentials. The only Indian offr to have commanded a brigade in WWII, he successfully commanded a division in 1947-48 Kashmir war - his induction of tanks into Zoji-La was acclaimed worldwide

2/ In 1959 Timmy was the COAS when war clouds with China were looming on the horizon. He was cognisant of the shortfalls in force levels and logistics / equipment to face a realistic Chinese threats. His proposals on actions for dealing with this were rebuffed by Menon.
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In 1959, the Chinese had extended their occupation of Aksai Chin, illegally ceded to them by Pakistan, by taking over the heights overlooking Chushul and Rezang La. The Chinese openly rejected the McMohan Line as the international boundary between China and India, and declared that Tibet was an 'inalienable part of China."

The Indian armed forces were in a poor state. There was pressure to reduce the defence budget, which was already low at just Rs 305 crore.

General K.S. Thimayya, Chief of Army S., conducted two exercises cum war games in the Eastern and Western Theatres. "Timmy" personally directed the exercises, with Major General P.P. Kumaramangalam leading a force acting as the Chinese.

The main conclusion of Exercise Lal Qila in the North East Frontier Area, led by Major General S.P.P. Thorat, was that available troop and equipment levels would not be sufficient to contain or even delay the Chinese aggression. Combined with the results of the other exercise, Sheel, in Shimla, an increase in forces and an initial deployment pattern was recommended by Army Headquarters to the Minis, of Defence, headed by V.K. Krishna Menon.
 
But when it reached Menon, he shelved it, finally taking it up only after much prodding. A meeting was organised, and he asked Timmy to explain the rationale for such a large force. The COAS duly did so, only to have Menon declare that it was "too much" and it needed to be "pruned down.' Timmy resisted. And Menon's stand changed from discussion to confrontation. Excerpts from Thimayya, An Amazing Life.
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3/ The Chief was presenting facts which were politically inconvenient and contrary to the assurances the Defence Minister and PM had been giving parliament and people - that (a) There was no threat of war from China and (b) If it came to that, we were in a position to defeat them

4/ When Menon did not heed to the military advice, Thimayya thought it was his duty to bring the matter to the PM's notice. Not only did the PM not pay heed to his warnings, Menon took him to task for bringing the matters to PM's notice over his head. Thimayya put in his papers.

5/ This was on 31 August 1959. That evening Nehru called Thimayya to his house and pacified him, assuring him that he would take necessary steps to set matters right. He also pressed Thimayya to withdraw his resignation, which he did being a gentleman.

6/ The matter was leaked to the press, and there was an uproar in the parliament the next day. It was downplayed, made out to be one of 'procedural difficulties experienced by him (Timmy)' due to 'unconventional approach of Mr Krishna Menon'. Nehru promised to clarify next day
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MR. NEHRU'S STATEMENT IN LOK SABHA TODAY
 
"The Times of India" News Service

NEW DELHI, September 1.

THE crisis arising out of the offer of the Chief of the Army Staff, General K. S. Thimayya, to resign is likely to be averted.

Suitable adjustments may be made to smooth over certain procedural difficulties within the Ddence Ministry follow-ing a series of meetings held by the Prime Minister during the past two days.

Lobby reports that the Defence Minister had orally pbced his reskpation at the disposal of the Prime Minister today could not be confirmed. In any event, political circles believe that it is highly unlikely that Mr. Nehru would agree to relieve his colleague.

Mr. Krishna Menon is at present scheduled to leave for the U. N. General Assembly session on September 7.

The Prime Minister is to make a statement on the subject in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. He will tel out the facts and may be expected to reply to the criticism levelled against the Defence Minister in the LokSabha today.

The Chief of the Army Staff seas understood to have brought to the notice of the Prime Minister certain procedural difficulties experienced by him from day to day over a period of time arising out of the unconventional approach of Mr. Krishna Menon. These difficulties led him to believe that he did not enjoy the full confidence of his Minister. Service morale and discipline had consequently suffered.

In the circumstance, Gen. Thim-m.ya informed the Prime Minister that he would like to resign.

OTHER CHIEFS' VIEWS

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Mukheriee, Who is at present away in the U.K., and the Chief of the Navy Staff. Vice-Ad-Hirai Katati, are also believed to have experienced the same difficulty.

Gen. Thimayya met the Prime Minister yesterday and again this evening. The Prime Minister saw Mr. Krishna Menon this morning and called on Pandit Pant in the evening. The Defence Minister also met Pandit Pant today.

Following these meetings, certain procedural adjustments may be made in clue course to smooth over the difficulties in the Defence Ministry. Mr. Nehru will himself take charge of the portfolio in the absence of Mr. Krishna Merlon in the U.N.

Reports that Gen. Thimayya had submitted his resignation created a sensation in Parliament today, especially against the background of the delicate situation along the country's northern borders.

Mr. Krishna Menon was in Parliament during the question-hour and was later in the Defence Ministr),. Gen. Thimayya was also at his desk at Army Headquarters throughout the day.

Congress members of Parliament were busy collecting signatures for an emergency party meeting this evening. But Mr. Nehru suggested that this be postponed until after his statement in Parliament.

P.T.I adds: Late tonight, Defence Ministry sources denied that Mr. Krishna Menon had submitted his resignation and added that reports that he had, were "inspired."
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7/ One of the issues Thimayya had raised was out of turn promotion of Gen BM Kaul. Nehru defended his prodigy and dismissed this fact. He went on to mislead the parliament about the conversation he had had with Thimayya.
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TALKS WITH ARMY CHIEF

"About a week ago," Mr. Nehn said, had sent for Genera Thtmavya in the normal course it order to have a talk with him. When, he came to see me, I said to him that I had heard that there was some discontent about recent promotion! in the Army. He gave me an account of what had been done. I was satisfies that these promotions had been made in the regular course through Selection Boards. There was no element of partisanship or favouritism. (Cheers from Congress benches.1 I say this because I find some reference was made m the House yesterday to political considerations shout the promotions. I think there is no truth in that charge."

"RATHER TRIVIAL"

Mr. Nehru added: "Though General Thimayya assured me that the Army was in fine mettle, the morale of the officers and men %vat excellent and that good progress has been made in the production of ordnance factories, he told me that he was not feeling very happy about various matters connected with the Defence Ministry. He gave me some instances but they were, to my thinking, rather trivial and of nc consequence. I realised that the difficulties that had arisen might be called temperamental. I said that I would look into the matter. I spoke later to the Defence Minister and mentioned to him rather briefly what he (General Thimayya) had told me I suggested to Mr. Menon that have might base a talk with the A, Chief of Staff and the Defence Mini.
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8/ Building on the narrative, he went on to assure the parliament about the state of defence preparedness and progress of the 'defence factories' in meeting the needs of the forces. He also praised Menon, the actual root cause of all the problems.
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Mr. Nehru sail (hat, during Iasi two years or so, Defence Services and defence factories had made great progress, production had gone up rapidly and ordnance factories were dealing with major projects and utilising their spare capacity. He was also happy that the discipline and morale of the Armed Forces were excellent. "Unfortunate incidents should not make us forget these basic things," he said.

In the end, the Prime Minister paid' a tribute to the Defence Minister. Mr. Krishna Meyer, for the "great energy and enthusiasm which he has put in his work and which has resulted in so much progress." He also complimented the officers and 'men of the Armed Forces on their good work and said that he intended to maintain his personal contacts with the Defence Services so that difficulties, if any, might be removed.
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9/ Nehru went on to obliquely blame Thimayya for leaking the resignation episode to the press by implying that it was between the two of them, and HE had not told anyone about it.
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Ster did have some talks with General Thimayya"

"About midday on August 31," the Prime Minister said. "I received a letter from General Thimayya offering his resignation as the Army Chief of Staff. I was myself surprised to see this as our previous talk did not lead me to think this would happen. It seemed to me peculiarly unwise that this action should have been taken in the conditions prevailing in India today. On the evening of August 31, I sent for General Mows and pointed out to him that hit sending me his resignation in the way he did seemed to me not a right thing at all. I advised him to withdraw it and he accepted me advice."

"Yesterday morning." Mr. Nehru went on, "I saw the announcement in the newspapers. I do not know how this reached the press; I had not mentioned the resignation letter to anyone at all nor the subsequent withdrawal. I was naturally distressed at the rather sensational publicity given to this because I know this would be a matter of grave concern to the Hong, As I was unable to come to the House yesterday, I utilised the rest of the day in trying to get some further information and meeting many of my colleagues as well as office!, of the Defence, Ministry. I have held further talks with the Defence Minister and General Thimayya. General Thimayya has sent me a letter formally withdrawing his previous offer of resignation.
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10/ Not everyone was taken in. Prof Ranga, Congress's own MP, said Nehru defended Menon but not Thimayya (amounting to blaming him for the problem) "We want to be assured that the Prime Minster will be as keen to maintain the prestige of the Chiefs of Staff as .... his colleague"
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IMPORTANT OMISSION

Prof. Kenga said It was rather strange that the Prime Minister taued to pay tne same kind of trioute to General Thimayya as ne had paid to his colleague, Mr Krishna Menon. He hoped that Mr. Neharu would take an eany occasion to make good this important omission

I do not ctain much to Know about the Defence forces," Prof. Ranga added, “But I do Know that many people have come to from a very high opinion indeed of the competence, the sense of patriotism and the sense of duty of General Thimayya. Other nations have also paid tribute to the services that he had done on our behalf on the Korean front, to mention only one instance. It is most mental that we should try to maintain the morale of the Defence Force.

"I agree with the Prime Minister that the civil power must be supreme, we have had the great example of the relations in the U.S.A. between President Truman and General Mac-Arthur. We want to maintain the same kind of relations in this country also but at the same time we want to be assured that the Prime Minister will be as keen to maintain the prestige of the Chiefs of Staff as he is anxious to maintain the prestige of his colleague."
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11/ Cornered by his own MP, Nehru went on to give a reluctant, left handed compliment to Thimayya, while in the same breath criticising him for putting in his resignation.
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Tribute to General

Thimayya

VERY GALLANT OFFICER

Mr. Nehru referred to Prof. Ranga's complaint that he had not referred To General Thimayya in terms of appreciation. "As a muter of fact, he said, "I have referred to the ollieers and men of the Army and I think General Thimayya is a very gallant and experienced officer who has done very good service to the country, (Cheers). But I it not congratulate him on his letter of resignation. I make that perfectly clear."

Prof. Ranga: You have congratulated the wrong man.

Some other Opposition members: Why have you then asked him (General Thimayya) to withdraw his resignation?

Prof. Ranga: He (Mr. Nehru) is not prepared to pay the same tribute to him as he was given to the Minister.

Mr. Nehru: I do not understand —I am really sorry—why some members of the opposite side are some-what excited about this matter. said—and I repeat—that General Thimayya and our senior officers, especially, the Chiefs of Staff, are people who have done good service, whose experience and gallantry we have appreciated and we appreciate. That is why we have got them there; otherwise, we would not have them there. It is because we appreciate their service we put them there and that is why I went out of my way to get him (General Thimayya withdraw his letter of resignation. That has nothing to do with my remark that I do not congratulate him or anybody who sent the letter of resignation. Let that be quite clear. It is a most extraordinary thing to do. I have said only mildly—what I said. I say that whatever the circum-stances it was an extraordinary thing to do. The House should realise that. This kind of thing is not often done, normally speaking or abnormally speaking. I have given my due Tilted of praise to General Thimayya and, as I have said in my statement, his resignation at this moment is not the right thing to do.

Mr. Asoka Mehta: If it is an extra-ordinary thing why do we condone it?

Mr. Nehru, raising his voice, said: I do not condone it. Who said I condone it? I said it is a wrong thing to do that but many wrong things are done, whether in the flush of the moment or whatever it is, and as I have said it is a wrong thing; but one does not .pursue the man after that when he has many virtues and when he has served the State in many ways.

Mr. Hem Barua: Has he expressed regret that this was an unwise step?
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12/ When probed again about the reason behind the resignation, Nehru again tried to make light of it, passing it off as "Temperamental Differences" between Thimayya and Menon. Other matters of defence criticalities raised by Thimayya (Tweet 2 above) were dismissed as "trivial"
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As for the first I have indicated in this report that Gen. Thimayya felt unhappy and as far as I can make out—it was not something that I can say definitely this way or that—hut some petty instances 'he gave me—they were so trivial that I attach no importance to them. But the real fact of the matter as it appears to me was that this tension was due to temperamental conflict and the way some work was being done etc., which was not perhaps to the liking of the Chief of Staff.

Only Temperamental Difficulties TALKS WITH OFFICERS

The Prime Minister added: "I am completely and absolutely frank with this House. I have been searching and have met a number of officers from the Defence Ministry, military and civil side, and I have been unable really to come to grips with any solid things, except as I said, temperamental difficulties that often arise, I shall continue to try to find out what it is. But temperamental things are important enough very often.
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13/ Still not convinced, another Congress MP Chettiar argued that people of such calibre and position don't resign on temperamental issues, it was insinuated that Thimayya probably resigned out of embarrassment for 'going over Menon's head' to Nehru!
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Deeper Reasons Behind Resignation INQUIRY URGED

Mr. T. S. Avinasilingam Chettiar (Congress) said that it was good that Gen. Thimayya had withdrawn his resignation. But people of such calibre and position would not resign unless for reasons which they considered important. Temperamental differences were important enough. He hoped that the Prime Minister would pursue and find out the deeper reasons behind all this.
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Even after the Prime Minister's statement, lobby circles were curious to know why exactly Gen. Thimayya had submitted his resignation especially in the light of reports that the General's meeting with both Mr. Nehru and Mr. Krishna Menon had been cordial.

One explanation offered was that the General possibly took the step he did out of a sense of personal embarrassment rather than as a pro-test. In the circumstances, the Prime Minister was able to persuade General Thimayya to withdraw the resignation, which he did.
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NO PROTEST

From whatever evidence is available, General Thimayya appear to have submitted his resignation either because Mr. Krishna Menon or perhaps he himself felt that he had gone over the head o his Minister to Mr. Nehru an "complained" to the Prime Minister about certain matters. Hi action was not intended as a pro test but was actuated by his own high sense of honour and discipline. The Prime Minister urge, withdrawal of the resignation is recognition of this fact.

The Prime Minister' was more critical of the resignation than h otherwise might have been because he wanted to counteract the political inferences being read into the episode by Parliament and th
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14/ Finding members still not convinced, the speaker came to Nehru's rescue, telling the members if they disagreed with the government they could "muster the necessary strength and dislodge the Government"

(The last argument should be thrown in Congress's face everyday now)
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Referring to Prof. Ranga's remarks, the Speaker said it was not for members to instruct how the Government should respect one or the other officer.

Prof. Ranga: The Prime Minister has gone out of his way to compliment the Defence Minister.

The Speaker said if members felt that the Government was not dealing with the administration as it should they could muster the necessary strength and dislodge the Government. He did not think any useful purpose would be served by discussing the matter. He also ruled
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15/Nehru thus turned the tables on a possible political disaster. Resignation of the COAS would have exposed his false assurances about national security, put his pet Menon in a difficult position. Instead, he made Thimayya out to be petulant resigning for 'temperamental reasons'

16/ In November 1959 Nehru made a statement in Lok Sabha: “at no time since independence have our forces been in better condition .. backed by greater industrial production than today.. I am quite confident that our defence forces are well capable of looking after our security.”

17/Nehru continued to perpetuate this myth, probably believing that China would never actually attack India and expose his lies. Thimayya retired in 1961, and the pliable duo of Kaul and Thapar never told Nehru or Menon anything they didn't want to hear

Unroll available on Thread Reader
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Rohit Agarwal @ragarwal
Replying to @ragarwal
16/ In November 1959 Nehru made a statement in Lok Sabha: “at no time since independence have our forces been in better condition .. backed by greater industrial production than today.. I am quite confident that our defence forces are well capable of looking after our security.”
3:50 PM - Oct 30, 2018
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