L. Ramdas, the former Navy Chief Admiral, wrote an open letter to Sunil Arora, the Chief Election Commissioner, regarding the misuse of the Pulwama terror attack for the Lok Sabha elections’ campaigns.
In the letter, Admiral Ramdas asked Sunil Arora to look into the matter and stop the politicians from misusing the Pulwama terror attack, the Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrikes and Wing Commander of IAF Abhinandan Varthaman’s return operation as campaign stunts.
Admiral Ramdas said, “With elections due in 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.”
The letter came after the ruling Government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) mentioned the issue at multiple campaign rallies. The Party repeatedly appreciated the operation led by the IAF, upon the orders of the Government of India.
The Indian National Congress (INC) also targeted the BJP and criticised the Party for using such sensitive issues and operations as a means of winning the Lok Sabha elections.
The Pulwama terror attack, led by the Jaish e Mohammad (JeM,) a Pakistan based terrorist group, killed approximately 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans. The IAF strikes carried out on 3 JeM camps, post the Pulwama terror attack, is also used as a trump card by the BJP, which lost in the recently held Assembly elections in 3 states. The incident indirectly increased the chances of the BJP winning the Lok Sabha elections.
Mentioning about his concern as a responsible citizen of India, Admiral Ramdas said, “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.”
Former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas said, he could not circulate the letter for more veteran Army jawans’ signatures, who think the same as him and want the Election Commission (EC) of India to take the necessary action.
Admiral Ramdas wrote the letter as he does not wish for the integrity and pride of the Indian Armed Forces to be compromised on the grounds of political stunts.
Admiral Ramdas approached the EC to take the necessary steps and ensure the political parties do not use the armed forces’ acts for the achievement of the parties’ political agendas.
The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled between April and May 2019 and the major parties contesting are the BJP and the INC.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Also read : https://themangonews.com/most-popular/terrorists-are-being-trained-for-naval-attacks-says-navy-chief/
