Former Soldiers Angry Over Yogi's 'Modiji Ki Sena' Comment, Ex-Navy Chief To File Complaint

There s much debate on the use of armed forces for political gains. The current government has been accused of take credit of the brave acts and sacrifices of the brave soldiers. Uttar Pradesh Chief minister has even called Indian Army "Modiji Ki Sena". This statement seems to have irked some former servicemen who think that this attitude by the politicians will end up politicizing army, that has always been non partisan.

Yogi, one of the party's star campaigners in the upcoming polls is the latest BJP leader to cash in the sentiment over the security forces post the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot air strike.

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However, the downright politicisation of the security forces has not gone down well, with the opposition and the forces.

PTI has reported that the military was "upset" over the comment made by the UP CM.

Meanwhile, former Navy chief Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas said he would approach the Election Commission against Adityanath's comment.

"The armed forces do not belong to any one individual, they serve the country. Till the polls get over, the Chief Election Commissioner is the boss. I am going to approach the Election Commission in this regard," Admiral Ramdas told PTI.

Lt. Gen. (retd) H S Panag also echoes similar opinion and said the comments did not come as a surprise as such remarks have been made by politicians over the last five years in an attempt to link nationalism with the armed forces.

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"Such comments lead to the politicization of the Army," Panag said.

Defence and Security Analyst Colonel (Rtd) Jaibans Singh, called for an end to such things before it spirals out of control.

Election Commission has already cognizance of Adityanath's remarks and sought a report from Ghaziabad district administration in this regard.

This is not the first time military veterans have expressed their displeasure over the blatant politicisation of the forces, using them in election speeches and campaign posters.

Admiral Ramdas himself had earlier sought the intervention of the Election Commission in stopping political parties from using the Pulwama attack, Balakot air strike, and Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardaman's operations to influence the electorate.

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"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," Ramdas had said in an open letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.

BJP has been at the forefront of using the military, and their actions including the surgical strikes for political mileage.

Leaders no less than PM Modi, HM Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit Shah all have made references to the Indian Army in their recent election speeches, while Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari was seen riding a bike in a political rally, wearing military-like attire.