Army will keep doing what is right, two bit news channels can keep whining
Some non descript two bit news channels began howling and whining with full volume after they saw pictures of an Iftar Party organized by the Indian Army. Such Parties have been part of Rashtriya Rifles working ethos since decades. These have been worked out by the Indian Army itself without any instructions, orders or recommendations of MoD or any other ministry of the Govt of India. In fact no part of the Govt can issue any such orders to the Army.
Hence tweet of Sudarshan News CMD and editor-in-chief, Suresh Chavhanke tweeted, “Ab ye bimari Bhartiya sena mein bhi ghuss gayi hai? Dukhad…” (Now this disease has spread even in the Indian Army? Sad) was simply atrocious and indicated the narrow mind and way of thinking.
A few jokers also started howling on tweeter, thinking that it will intimidate the Indian Army. Instead On April 21, the defence ministry’s public relations officer (PRO) released photographs of an iftar held by the Army in the Doda district of Jammu saying: Keeping alive the traditions of secularism, an Iftar was organised by the Indian Army at Arnora in Doda district.
The pictures of the Iftar gathering showed the Indian Army’s General Officer Commanding the Delta Force interacting with local Muslims and a uniformed person offering namaz among the civilian devotees. This has been a done thing since more than 20 years.
On April 25 in the ongoing month of Ramzaan, the Army in Srinagar once again released photographs showing General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps Lt Gen DP Pandey and other senior officers offering Namaz prayers. The Army press release said a meeting was organized with local citizens hailing from various parts of the valley at Old Air Field, Srinagar under the aegis of Headquarter Victor Force chaired by GOC, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen DP Pandey.
“The evening concluded with an Iftar party followed by Namaz. Everyone attending the meeting expressed their sense of satisfaction towards the Army’s effort to reach out to them and welcomed such initiatives in the future too,” the army spokesman said.
The Army said that a book titled “House of Terror” was also released on the occasion. The book brings out the trials and tribulations that were part of the journey of Mr Anwar from a militant to an Ikhwan. In Kashmir, the Ikhwan are often considered a pro-government militia by the locals, also known as “naabedh”. These were mostly former Kashmiri militants who have surrendered to the army. Human rights bodies have previously accused them of committing grave human rights abuses.
