NEW DELHI – Former Indian Navy chief Retired Admiral L Ramdas has called for immediate intervention of the Election Commission to stop political parties from using the armed forces actions for political gains.
In an open letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Admiral Ramdas said with elections due in a few weeks, it is particularly important that there should not be any misuse of the recent events by any political party to send triumphalist or jingoistic messages which can influence the electorate.
The former Indian Navy chief expressed concerns on “recent instances” of parties using armed forces for political gains.
Criticising the use of armed forces for votes, he said 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.”
He said it was completely unacceptable since it has the potential to destroy the very foundations and value system of the armed forces.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is waging a tough re-election campaign in which he has used anti-Pakistan talk to fuel Hindu nationalism.
