ABSTRACT
In many Third World countries, the military has played an important and forceful role in their domestic politics, economics and society. In general, the principle of civilian control of the military has prevailed, and the military's incursions into the domestic politics of India have been only at the invitation, and under the control, of the civilian authorities. Until the Indian Army's assault on the Sikh's Golden Temple in the Punjab in 1984, the military had ban viewed by most of the Indian population as a symbol of national unity. Political confrontations and wars against China and Pakistan (to a lesser extent) would appear to be good in the short run for national integration. Indeed, some opposition leaders have alleged that such tactics were being employed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in order to gain political unity and support and to perpetuate Congress government rule in India.
