Indian army chief under fire over visit to ashram in uniform

KARACHI: As Indian PM Modi’s government doubles down on a muscular security doctrine, a separate controversy is brewing within India’s military establishment, with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi under fire for visiting an ashram in uniform to meet spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on Wednesday. The visit has drawn criticism for potentially breaching the apolitical character of the armed forces.

As reported by Indian media, after the meeting Rambhadracharya stated that when the question arose about what ‘dakshina’ or offering the army chief could give, he responded by requesting ‘Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)’ [Azad Kashmir], and the army chief agreed to his request.

“The Indian army chief came to me. He received initiation from me in the Ram Mantra – the same mantra that Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka”, the Hindu cleric said.

“Afterwards, when the matter of ‘dakshina’ came up, I said I would ask for a ‘dakshina’ that no teacher has ever asked for before. I said, ‘I want PoK [Azad Kashmir], this is my dakshina. He accepted my request. We are ready to give Pakistan an appropriate response.”

Indian journalist Sushant Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Civil-military relations are strained when military leaders align with partisan religious agendas, undermining the apolitical ethos of India’s secular armed forces. Politically, this aligns with the ruling BJP’s Hindutva narrative, eroding institutional neutrality of the armed forces. Socially, Gen Dwivedi’s act risks alienating minority communities, exacerbating perceptions of majoritarianism in India’s institutions... Legally, while no code on military uniform on army law explicitly bars such interactions by the COAS, Gen Dwivedi’s actions conflict with Army Regulations prohibiting overt religious symbolism during official duties. For India, this is a dangerous path to tread on.”

Singh also criticised Dwivedi for missing a major defence event in Delhi that included the defence minister, defence secretary and other service chiefs, calling it “a travesty”.

Last year, the Indian army issued directives reminding military officials to follow the code of conduct prohibiting the display of religious symbols while in uniform.

Meanwhile, continuing his war-mongering rhetoric, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday once again directly targeted Pakistan during a high-profile address in Kanpur, where he outlined India’s new three-pronged approach to tackling terrorism.

Speaking at a public rally after inaugurating development projects worth INR47,600 crore, Modi declared that India would respond decisively to any act of terrorism. “India will not be scared of hollow threats of an atom bomb and won’t take decisions based on such threats”, said Modi. “We will treat both the terrorists and their sponsors in the same way.”

The Indian prime minister introduced a three-rule framework that will guide India’s future response to terrorism: Every terror attack will be answered. The armed forces will decide the nature and timing of the response. India will not be scared of hollow atom bomb threats. India will treat masters of terror and the government that patronises terrorists similarly.

The address by the Indian PM was marked by fiery nationalist rhetoric and direct threats aimed at Pakistan. “Wherever the enemy is, they will be hit”, Modi said to applause.

He also referenced India’s use of the BrahMos missile during a previous military confrontation with Pakistan. “The world witnessed the power of Make in India and its weapon through Operation Sindoor. Our Indian weapons (systems), including the BrahMos missile, entered the enemy territory and caused havoc”.

Modi contrasted the current state of military self-reliance with the past, saying: “There was a time when India depended on other countries for its safety. We have tried to change these circumstances.”