Former chiefs of Army and Air Force deny writing any letter to President

The letter appeals to President Kovind that the secular and a-political character of our Armed Forces is preserved.

The veterans, in the letter, also refered to “the apolitical and secular nature of India’s Armed Forces has been an article of faith for every soldier, sailor and airman.” (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images/ REPRESENTATIONAL)

The purported letter objected to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s ‘Modiji ki Sena’ remark.

Among the signatories of the letter are three former Army chiefs — Sunith Francis Rodrigues, Shankar Roychowdhury, Deepak Kapoor; four former Navy chiefs — Laxminarayan Ramdas, Vishnu Bhagwat, Arun Prakash, Suresh Mehta and former Air Force chief NC Suri.

The veterans also objected to the unusual and completely unacceptable practice of political leaders taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes

New Delhi: A major controversy has stirred up over 150 retired Indian Armed Forces veterans allegedly writing a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind and Election Commission to immediately take steps and direct political parties not to politicize the Defence forces. Air Chief Marshal NC Suri General and SF Rodrigues whose names have figured in the purported letter have categorically denied giving consent to such letter. The purported letter circulated in social media also asks parties to desist political parties of using names of soldiers, uniform or their actions in the election campaign. Sources at Rashtrapati Bhavan have also said that they have not received any such letter.

Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak confirms to @abpnewstv about letter to Prez & EC and his signature https://t.co/JzXnkdcq8V

— Neeraj Rajput (@neeraj_rajput) April 12, 2019

Speaking to news agency ANI, Air Chief Marshal NC Suri said, “this is not Admiral Ramdas’ letter (purported letter written by armed forces veterans to President) & it has been done by some Major Chaudhary. He has written this & it was coming on WhatsApp & emails.” “To put an end to it, I wrote that armed forces are apolitical & support the politically elected govt. And no, my consent has not been taken for any such letter. I don’t agree with whatever has been written in that letter. We have been misquoted,” he added.

Air Chief Marshal NC Suri to ANI: To put an end to it,I wrote that armed forces are apolitical&support the politically elected govt. And no, my consent has not been taken for any such letter. I don’t agree with whatever has been written in that letter. We have been misquoted. 2/2 https://t.co/pAU6L6CZ54

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

General SF Rodrigues who is mentioned as the first signatory in the purported letter (in pic- first page of the letter) written by armed forces veterans to President, also denied signing it. Calling the letter a classic manifestation of fake news, Rodrigues said: “Don’t know what it (purported letter written by armed forces veterans to Pres)is all about. All my life, we’ve been apolitical. After, 42 years as officer, it's a little late to change. Always put India first. Don’t know who these people are.” However, Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak spoke to ABP News and confirmed that he had signed in the letter that was sent to the President & the Election Commission. The letter titled ‘From A Group of Veterans To Our Supreme Commander’ states “we refer, Sir, to the unusual and completely unacceptable practice of political leaders taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes, and even going so far as to claim the Armed Forces to be ‘Modi ji ki Sena’."

Gen SF Rodrigues: Don’t know what it(purported letter written by armed forces veterans to Pres)is all about.All my life,we've been apolitical.Aftr,42 yrs as officer,it's a little late to change.Always put India first.Don’t know who these ppl are,classic manifestation of fake news pic.twitter.com/Cgpo57sVhq

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2019

In the letter, it also referred to “the apolitical and secular nature of India’s Armed Forces has been an article of faith for every soldier, sailor and airman.” “With the General elections round the corner, and given the prevailing environment where political parties and candidates seem to be acting in total disregard of the declaration of the ‘model code of conduct’, we fear that such incidents may only increase as polling day draws near”, the letter reads. The letter added “We believe that you will surely agree that any such misuse of the Armed Forces established under the Constitution of India and under the supreme command of the President of India, would impinge adversely on the morale and fighting efficiency of the serving man or woman in uniform. It could therefore directly affect national security and national integrity.” The letter appeals to President Kovind that the secular and a-political character of our Armed Forces is preserved. The Retired army veterans also urged President to take all necessary steps to urgently direct all political parties that they must forthwith desist from using the military, military uniforms or symbols, and any actions by military formations or personnel, for political purposes or to further their political agendas. The list of 156 veterans also includes the name of 8 Ex-Chiefs, namely -  Gen SF Rodrigues, Gen Shankar Row Chowdhry,  Gen Deepak Kapoor,  Adm Ramdass,  Vishnu Bhagwat,  Adm Arun Prakash, Adm Sureesh Mehta and ACM NC Suri.

Published at : 12 Apr 2019 11:25 AM (IST)

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