Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Spouting a critical tone towards some sections of the media, Army chief General VK Singh said on Thursday that the age row is a matter of integrity and honour for him. Lashing out at the media, Singh questioned the objectivity of journalism practiced in the matter and even went on to say that there are certain hidden motives in blowing the issue out of proportion.
He added that the matter has been handled by him in the “organisational interest.”
Refusing to comment further on the contentious issue the Army chief said “We will now talk of Indian Army.” He lauded the Army for the commendable job that they did in the year gone by. “Army has lived up to the reputation of being the first responders to any calamity,” he added.
The Ministry of Defence has accepted the date of birth of General Singh as May 10, 1950, as recorded in the UPSC form he had filled before joining the Army. This date of birth was registered in the adjutant general branch of the Army, which is the official record keeper. But the Army chief has claimed that he was born a year later, on May 10, 1951, as mentioned in his school certificate. Meanwhile, Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed unhappiness over controversy surrounding Army Chief's age and hoped it to get resolved.
First Published: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 16:31