The Big Fight: Is The Army Getting Politicised?

In the run up to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, posters depicting the success of India's surgical strike against Pakistan along with grabs of senior BJP leaders were used in rallies. Last year the Congress publicly questioned the basis for elevating General Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Army Staff superseding other seniors. And now, after the Army awarded Major Leetul Gogoi who used a man named Farooq Dar as a human shield, there has been a barrage of criticism from human rights group, a section of the media.

On the other hand a few vocal hyper-nationalists on social media and some news channels have labelled 'others' as anti-nationals for questioning counter-insurgency methods of the Army and alleged high-handedness.

The Army has been caught in a cleft stick. On one hand when netas are taking credit for the supreme sacrifices the soldiers are making, a section of the political class is raising doubts and questioning its anti-terror operations. Are we letting down the most apolitical and secular institution of the country?

Questioning alleged high-handedness of modes and methods of the Army is logical, democratic but to malign it and use it for electoral gains reflect only a narrow political mindset.

Do write to us on what you think at bigfight@ndtv.com.