Indian ex-Navy chief urges EC to stop using military for political gains

Indian ex-Navy chief urges EC to stop using military for political gains https://ift.tt/2tquErD NEW DELHI: Former Indian Navy chief Admiral L Ramdas, in an open letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, has  expressed concerns on "recent instances" of parties using armed forces  for political gains.The former Navy chief urged an immediate intervention of the Election Commission in stopping political parties from using the Pulwama attack, Balakot air strike and Wing Commander Abhinanda's name to influence the electorate.Ramdas  added: "There should not be any misuse of these recent events by any political party to send triumphalist or jingoistic messages which can influence the electorate." The former Navy chief, in his two-page letter, said: "And it is in this context that as a responsible citizen and a  veteran of the Indian Armed Forces, I share our collective sense of dismay and deep concern at how some political parties are brazenly pushing their agenda using images, uniforms and other examples, showing pictures of the armed forces with political figures, in public spaces, in media, election rallies and so on."He reportedly said it was completely unacceptable since it has the potential to destroy the very foundations and value system of the armed forces.According to media reports,  India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is waging a tough re-election campaign in which he has used anti-Pakistan talk to fuel Hindu nationalism.

March 08, 2019 at 06:31PM