Stop political parties from using armed forces to influence voters, former Navy Chief writes to EC

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.