A coalition of distinguished army veterans, former officers, and members of civil society has formally urged President Droupadi Murmu to take urgent action against derogatory political rhetoric concerning the Indian defence forces. This plea arises in response to contentious comments made by two BJP ministers from Madhya Pradesh following the recent India-Pakistan tensions triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack.
Among the notable signatories are former Navy chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat and electoral reforms advocate Jagdeep Chhokar, who, alongside other senior ex-servicemen and concerned citizens, articulated their “distress and anguish” over the remarks, which they view as undermining the professionalism and sacrifices of the nation’s armed forces.
Focus was directed toward a statement made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah, who criticized Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the official defence spokesperson, implying that sending a woman officer to conflict zones represented a form of symbolic retaliation. This comment has been widely condemned for its gendered insensitivity.
In addition, Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda made remarks during a public address that were interpreted by some as suggesting that the Indian Army submits to the authority of the Prime Minister. Although Devda later claimed his comments were misinterpreted, the veterans expressed concern that such rhetoric risks politicizing the military.
The group referenced a previous comment from 2019 by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who labeled the Army as “Modiji ki sena.” This phrase had previously faced backlash for suggesting the military’s alignment with political leadership, which the veterans find alarming.
The veterans’ statement also emphasized the restrictive conduct rules that limit active defence personnel from publicly defending themselves, warning that unchecked political commentary could undermine morale and threaten national security.
In their appeal to the President, who holds the position of Supreme Commander of The Armed Forces, they called for directives aimed at preventing such statements in the future. The letter highlighted the critical need to maintain the dignity and apolitical stance of the military, emphasizing that this is essential for fostering national unity and ensuring security.
