Unacceptable: Former Navy chief L Ramdas blasts use of forces for political gain in letter to EC

[The Eagle]

Unacceptable: Former Navy chief L Ramdas blasts use of forces for political gain in letter to EC
Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas wrote to the Election Commission of "instances of using the Armed Forces for political gains, especially in the aftermath of both Pulwama and the strikes in Balakot and the shooting down, capture and repatriation of an Indian Air Force pilot".

India Today Web Desk
New Delhi
March 8, 2019
UPDATED: March 8, 2019 18:03 IST

Mirage 2000 fighter jets, the kind of military aircraft used during the February 26 airstrike on Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas warns against political misuse of recent events
• Parties brazenly pushing their agenda using forces: Admiral Ramdas
• This has potential to destoy foundations of armed forces: Admiral Ramdas

A former Chief of Naval Staff has asked the Election Commission to help prevent misuse of the armed forces for electioneering ahead of the national election due by May.

Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas told the poll panel he was writing on behalf of other armed forces veterans too. His letter warns against political misuse of events like the Indian airstrike on Jaish-e-Mohammed "to send triumphalist or jingoistic messages which can influence the electorate".


He expressed concern over "instances of using the Armed Forces for political gains, especially in the aftermath of both Pulwama and the strikes in Balakot and the shooting down, capture and repatriation of an Indian Air Force pilot".

He said some parties were "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".

"This is completely unacceptable since it has the potential to destroy the very foundations and value system of our armed forces, drawn from the vision, the spirit and intent of the Indian Constitution," Admiral Ramdas said.

"We therefore, urge the Election Commission to immediately intervene and send a strong message to the political parties that there should be no misuse of the photographs as indeed any other material/reports or other information pertaining to the armed forces for electioneering in any way."

Both the BJP and the opposition traded charges of politicisation as tensions escalated between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack in Pulwama.

The bombing was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed on February 14, and within two weeks, India announced it had carried out an airstrike on the terrorist group inside Pakistan.

Fierce debate has focused on specific death toll numbers put out by top BJP leaders, as well as skeptical foreign media reports.

 

[untitled]

Will he be invited to A. Goswami's show and be labelled an anti-national?

 

[Khafee]

Will he be invited to A. Goswami's show and be labelled an anti-national?

Ofcourse. Anyone anti modi, is auromatically anti national.

 

[mastaan]

No one should go to Arnab's show. he is a lunatic.

Finally, about time, people start speaking up this increasing trend of politics around armed force actions... hopefully this will push start a larger discussion on how to avoid shameless politicization of work of armed forces.

 

[Imran Khan]

modi want to win election even if he need to use nukes

 

[mastaan]

modi want to win election even if he need to use nukes

He will win man.. He does not have a competition.

And then focus can return to economy as the world is gonna face the next recessions soon enough and interest rates in India are terribly high for a recession to bite us that much more. Europe is already down to 0.2% GDP growth last quarter.

 

[Khafee]

He will win man.. He does not have a competition.

And then focus can return to economy as the world is gonna face the next recessions soon enough and interest rates in India are terribly high for a recession to bite us that much more. Europe is already down to 0.2% GDP growth last quarter.

IA sanity will prevail, and he will loose.

 

[BATMAN]

Former Pakistani CoAS suggested Pakistan should have replied strongly... contrarily we chooses to 'act in good faith'.
Bottom line is, it dosn't matter what previous army men think, what matters is current army chief and in current military showdown. Decision of bombing Pakistan was made by 5 persons, including those was Indian current naval chief as well.

Will he be invited to A. Goswami's show and be labelled an anti-national?

Or may be BJP activists go out and make him kneel down, like the professor of civil engineering.

 

[pahadi]

IA sanity will prevail, and he will loose.

We have no alternative, if you have a suggestion please put forward the name...

 

[Jinn Baba]

Now here is someone who actually cares.

Through sources hes obviously heard how PN detected the IN sub and could easily have blown it up; and from his own experience as a former IN chief, he knows how likely it is that IN ships and subs would crash into each other before they even reach Karachi.

The guy just doesnt want his former comrades dying an embarassing death. And I think we should appreciate him for his honesty.

 

[Khafee]

We have no alternative, if you have a suggestion please put forward the name...

A nation of a billion+ souls, and modi is all you have?

My condolonces.

 

[Death Professor]

No one should go to Arnab's show. he is a lunatic.

but nation wants to know.

 

[pahadi]

A nation of a billion+ souls, and modi is all you have?

My condolonces.

Wahh modiji Wahh!!!!

 

[chanikya]

Now here is someone who actually cares.

Through sources hes obviously heard how PN detected the IN sub and could easily have blown it up; and from his own experience as a former IN chief, he knows how likely it is that IN ships and subs would crash into each other before they even reach Karachi.

The guy just doesnt want his former comrades dying an embarassing death. And I think we should appreciate him for his honesty.

Haha nice analysis.. it seems you mean to say armed forces are for decoration or what. They are here to stand for the country.

I don't want war, I hate loss of life on both sides but the other side also should understand that no one is against them .We are against terrorists if the other side controls their activities we don't have the need to do any action.

 

[mastaan]

but nation wants to know.

lol.. times now still use that punchline, even after he has left