Hyderabad: Following a social media campaign by wives of Army personnel, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated on Sunday that the government was ready to review its decision to allow civilian access to all roads in military cantonments across the country.
“Welcome to meet me. Shall hear them with an open mind,” Ms Sitharaman said on her Twitter handle, referring to the campaign by wives of Army officers.
Army officials and their families have expressed strong reservations against the decision to reopen all roads in cantonments to civilians, citing security concerns.
A country-wide signature campaign against the decision has been launched by wives of Army officers. They say they would meet the defence minister and urge her to reverse the decision.
“The decision will weaken security of the cantonments. The government must review it,” said a family member of an Army official here on condition of anonymity. Ms Sitharaman’s statement on the issue comes on the back of this.
Ms Sitharaman also engaged in the conversation taking place on Twitter.
When user Alok tweeted: “Nirmala ma’am there is a very thin line between genuinely helping people and appeasement! People accept it that you crossed that line this time, acknowledge ur mistake,amend n move on with dignity. No compromise with @adgpi ARMY land n cantonments. Period. @mediarocks (sic)”, the defence minister replied saying, “Thanks for your firm words and for drawing that ‘very thin line’ for me.”
