We stay far away from politics, very far" -- that's what newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday when asked to respond to allegations that he's politically inclined.
"We have to work according to directions by the government in power," said Gen. Bipin Rawat.
Being the CDS, General Bipin Rawat said his focus will be to integrate the efforts of the three services and to work as a team.
Recently, when he was still the Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat drew criticism for taking a public stand against violent anti-CAA protests.
"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," General Bipin Rawat said at an event.
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Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had said that leadership was "about knowing the limits of one's office".
"It is about understanding the idea of civilian supremacy and preserving the integrity of the institution that you [Gen Bipin Rawat head," Asaduddin Owaisi had said.
General Bipin Rawat took charge of India's first-ever Chief of Defence Staff on December 31.
He paid tributes at the National War Memorial and received a guard of honour in New Delhi today.