![]() Asthana took to Twitter to say that the “last bastion of a secular State has fallen with this”.Īlthough they agree that religious music is played by the Army band during religious occasions, they say that they have never heard anything like that being played during ceremonial parades such as passing-out parades, Republic Day parades, as they are “institutional-level” events, not regimental events.Īs the video went viral, Lieutenant General H.S. While Colonel (retired) Harinder Chhina saw it as nothing but “introducing Hindutva in (the) army”, IPS officer N.C. In addition to asserting that it was a passing-out parade, veterans say that such events reflect the institution of the Indian Army, but not a regiment, and hence such display of religiosity indicate how Hindutva has made its way to one of India’s secular institution of Army under the current regime. However, neither the Army nor anyone has been able to ascertain the regiment or the location from where the video has emerged. They point to many visible clues to this effect: the youth of soldiers (given that they are young, it must be a passing-out parade after a training), the weapons they are carrying, a drill square (found specifically during passing-out parades) and the general feel of the place.Īlso read: A New Book Probes Whether India’s Armed Forces Remain Apolitical and Secular They insist that it was not a religious event as pointed out by the Army, but it was a passing-out parade. However, Army veterans are not convinced. If a regiment is predominantly Christian, then Christmas is a regimental function and we have a parade,” The Telegraph quoted Colonel Chamoli as saying. The Indian Army conducts parades for all religions - mandir parade, gurdwara parade, masjid parade, etc. He said that the aarti was being performed outside a temple in a regiment and there was nothing wrong with it. While many pointed out the fact that such display of religiosity during passing-out parades has never been part of the Army’s traditions, a spokesperson from the Indian Army, Colonel Sudhir Chamoli, responded that it was not a passing-out parade and added such religious events are common in regiments. ![]() New Delhi: A video which has surfaced online showing army men clad in their uniforms clapping and performing aarti while an army band playing Hindu devotional song “Om Jai Jagadish Hare” in the background has prompted many veterans to ask if the event in question violated the Indian Army’s secular traditions, The Telegraph has reported. ![]()
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