Thrissur/New Delhi, December 30: Amid the protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act becoming the headlines for media, Congress MP from Thrissur TN Prathapan has written to President Ram Nath Kovind to take stringent appropriate disciplinary actions against Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in the interest of justice for violating 'code of conduct for defence personnel'. General Rawat had criticised the anti-CAA protests and had called them 'leading masses'. Prathapan opined that General Rawat violated the code of conduct for defence personnel and hence should be sacked.

Making an appeal to the President, Prathapan wrote, as quoted by Indian Express, "In view of this very serious breach of discipline, on part of the Army chief, I humbly appeal your excellency to immediately withdraw the service of General Bipin Rawat prom the post of Army Chief and take serious and stringent appropriate disciplinary actions against him in the interest of justice." Chief of Defence Staff to Serve Till 65 as Government Amends Army Rules to Lift Age Limit

The Congress leader even stated that the Army Chief had crossed all limits and had shared his political opinion at public platforms, which is not permitted for men in uniform. He said, "This is nothing less than grave disciplinary latches and violations of code of conduct and various defence service regulations." Apart from Congress, CPM too had raised concerns and asked if India is going the Pakistan way of 'politicising the military'.

Earlier, while addressing a health summit in national capital, had said, "Leaders are not those who lead people in inappropriate directions, as we are witnessing in a large number of universities and college students… the way they are leading masses of crowds to carry out arson and violence in our cities and towns. This is not leadership. Even amongst the crowd, you find leaders… But leaders are those who lead people in the right direction."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2019 02:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).