The Sarkari Mussalman

by Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah

In this book, Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah explains the intriguing title of The Sarkari Mussalman (government stooge), which those in government service are often accused of being when they 'go by the rules'. Besides covering the span of his life of the past 70 years, including being part of the operations at Longewala (Jaisalmer Sector) in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the author also details how he led the Army Division that quelled the riots in Gujarat in 2002, in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2018

Reviews

[Divya Pal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of the author when he had been appointed as VC of AMU. I wondered how a fauji would manage the rambunctious crowd at the hoary institution, where the ebullient students are always in a state of ferment. The press kept us informed (not always accurately, according to him) about his authoritarian attempts to suppress the mutinous atmosphere. That is when I learnt that he too was an alumnus of St Josephs, Nainital – albeit nine years my senior.
More about that later; first the book. It is simply and lucidly written, with none of usual Army bombast. I only wish the photos were of better quality – the earlier ones are grainy and not even suitable for a family album (e.g., Photo No. 28) and the later ones have been luridly photoshopped. There should have more details about his soldiering, unless these are operational secrets. He rightly says that retired faujis are a very valuable human resource and should be usefully employed in imparting their knowledge, experience and skills in nation building.
Gen Shah should not have been so circumspect about detailing his experiences during the communal riots in Gujarat. What else was this book for (hence the four star rating)? He should have laid bare those ‘wounds’ he talks about. However, it was fascinating to read about his encounters with the “Actress bhi kabhi HRD Minister thi.” What were those words from PM Modi that assuaged his feelings after one of these encounters?
His description of his time at St Joseph’s took me on a nostalgic trip my school days - to thrillers by Alistair MacLean, well-thumbed brown-paper covered Midwood books, weekly outings to town on Thursdays to watch movies at Capitol while munching 10 paise worth of peanuts. As he mentions, our potpourri of cultures and religions turned us into responsible citizens. I can vouch for the secular nature of “Sem”. Our houses may have been named after Christian saints, but all Indian festivals were celebrated. I can still taste the fruits we got on Janamashthmi. The ‘other’ were our traditional and rabid rivals Sherwood. Alas! socials with the ladies of “Sonn” (St Mary’s Convent) had ceased in our time – I would attribute the escapades of our seniors (the author included) leading to this sad state of affairs.
Incidentally, a trip to "Sem" a couple of years ago was a big disappointment. The place was in a shabby and decrepit state. The original Irish Brothers are now an extinct lot and their indigenous replacements are from the familiar Bhartiya milieu of lazy corrupt individuals.

[Conrad Barwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written book by a Lt.Gen. who retired as Deputy Army Chief of Staff. Full of pertinent reflections of what it means to be an Indian Muslim in the Army and seen as supportive of the idea of India. Explains the tensions and the problems encountered therein very well. Also shows why the Army remains one of the few secular institutions in the country so far. Great read. Only complaint is that is was all too brief!

[Neelam Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read THE SARKARI MUSSALMAN, The Life and Travails of a Soldier Educationist;
The Memoirs of Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, PVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) and his journey from the armed forces to Armed Forces Tribunal to Vice Chancellor of AMU.
Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah had an interesting career in the Armed Forces right from 1971 Indo-Pak war, his posting in Gulf, handling insurgency in North-East India, Operation Parakram and his posting in Armed Forces Tribunal. There are very important lessons to be learnt from him, one among them being that one has to be himself at the highest level of self-restraint and thoughts to be able to deal with the larger community. If you are biased about religion or caste or class, it shows in your behaviour and you can never shine.
Being a Muslim, he has also narrated the perspectives of various people who crossed him at his various stages of life. His view is that most of them (and specially the Army) never carried such biases and he was given several important postings in his career without thinking of his religion, since the bosses knew that he could deliver. He also advises everyone to come out of the narrow biases to rise in life.
It is overall a very interesting book and I loved reading his experiences, his thoughts as well as his suggestions for improving upon the systems in the country (rather world)!

[Randhir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lieutenant General ZU Shah is an outstanding man and role model in many ways. He joined the Army and rose to nearly the highest rank. As he admits, being a Muslim never stood in his way. An exceptionally robust and fine sportsman with a deceptive style, Shah worked hard and focused in his profession. He won the love and trust of his colleagues and men. As his remarkable story shows, he faced war and insurgency with equanimity, led from the front and succeeded. His experience in counter insurgency was nearly unmatched and his advice is sensible and honest. In all the chapters his views are forthright and true. What he says in the chapter on battle fatigue is worth emulating. One of his toughest assignments was to move his Division from an operational deployment near Jaisalmer to Ahmedabad to quell the riots post the Godhra Train Burning Incident. He moved in record time but for 24 hours got no help from the State Government. What he leaves unsaid is a blot on us as a people. He is condemnatory of the top heavy, biased, police forces, who either were passive spectators or active participants. To see his Muslim brethren being massacred must have been a traumatic experience for him but he did his duty diligently. Within 48 hours of the Army moving in, the situation was brought under control. However, the General faced some of his toughest battles out of uniform. His experience of the Armed Forces Tribunal tells us whats wrong with our justice system, though he's full of praise for his judicial colleagues on the bench. It's as Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University that he truly shines. Despite a highly fundamentalist Minister of Human Resources (he scrupulously avoids naming her) out to humiliate him at any opportunity, he carries on and ensures that the University becomes the best in India. It is here that his qualities of leadership truly shine. 'Zoom' Shah is of a rare breed and those who have been privileged to know him are truly lucky. The book must be read by young and old alike.

[Syed Naser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some military memoirs are rousing. Not this book. You can't blame the author. He has been a soldier for most of his life, proving his gummanship, not penmanship. But the sheer breadth of experience of Lt Zameer Uddin Shah fills this book with pearls of wisdom and 'insider information'. His vantage point is very unique because you rarely find a person who has been a soldier, a vice chancellor of a politically sensitive and globally recognized institute, member of Armed Forces Tribunal and a voice for the very people who didn't like this well wisher a lot, because he is 'sarkari'. Not a book with smooth transitions from one chapter to another or with exemplary literary grace. But, remember, this book is about his ride called life, and given the roller coasters he took, it ain't smooth.

[MIiftheqhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premitive reading, and author has no inclination to the use of colours to protrude his feelings. Although highly recommend memoire of an enriched personality, no minute details and secrets could be expected.

[Behjat Kararvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Book talks about the author's struggle

[Nomani Salman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad to read to the sarkari Muslim which (the sarkari Muslim book) was written by former VC zamerr uddin shah and I am part of Amu too . during VC Amu he was work a lot for Amu

[Chandril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superb writing. Absolutely lucid and fluid. Brother of Naseeruddin Shah no less.