Parties Shouldn’t Misuse Image of a Soldier, Says Ex-Navy Chief

The former navy chief asks CEC to act against parties who use pictures of armed forces to sway the electorate.

Former Navy Chief Admiral L Ramdas (Retd) has urged the CEC to intervene.

(Photo: The Quint/Erum Gour)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Former Navy Chief Admiral L Ramdas (retd) has written an open letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, seeking his intervention in stopping politicisation of armed forces by political parties.

Admiral L Ramras (retd) shared his concern over the use of Pulwama attack, followed by the airstrikes in Balakot and the capture and repatriation of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, as means of political gain.

“With elections due a few weeks from now, it is particularly important that 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.”

Admiral L Ramdas (retd), Former Navy Chief 

“And it is in this context that as a responsible citizen and a proud 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 added.

While speaking to The Quint, the former navy chief highlighted the importance of maintaining the secularism of the armed forces in the country.

“The armed forces have been totally secular all these years, for almost 70 years. We have people from all parts of India, all different castes, different religious leanings. So, to induct something like this at this stage, to create any communal tension, whether by political means or otherwise, is not a good development at all for our country.”

Admiral L Ramdas (retd), Former Navy Chief 

In his letter, Admiral Ramdas said this was completely unacceptable since it has the potential to destroy the very foundations and value system of the armed forces, drawn from the vision, the spirit and intent of the Constitution.

He urged the CEC to act against the political parties and candidates who used pictures of members of the armed forces to sway the electorate.

“It is up to the Chief Election Commissioner to tell those people off and if need be, their candidate should be punished by whatever methods and means that are available to him. They could be fined, termed as illegible candidates for using unfair means to gather votes. There are many ways in which the Chief Election Commissioner can take note of this and punish the errant delegates concerned.”

Admiral L Ramdas (retd), Former Navy Chief 

The former Navy chief signed off the letter saying many veterans are agitated by “these attempts to compromise the integrity and secular nature of the Indian Armed Forces.”