Indian Army chief’s religious reception reflects ‘saffronisation’ of military
New Delhi: Concerns have been raised over the increasing politicization and communalization of India’s military after the Indian Army Chief was publicly welcomed by a Brahmin priest chanting Hindu mantras during his visit to his hometown.
According to Kashmir Media Service, noted academic and analyst Professor Ashok Swain, in a post on X, questioned whether the Army Chief still believed in India’s secular constitution, pointing out that such religious ceremonies blur the line between faith and the officially secular nature of the armed forces.
Analysts said the event reflects the deepening influence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hindutva ideology within state institutions, including the armed forces, which have traditionally maintained religious neutrality.
Observers further warned that the public display of Hindu rituals by top military officials undermines the secular character of India’s defense establishment and reinforces the BJP’s agenda of fusing religion with nationalism.
They added that the growing alignment of military leadership with the Hindutva narrative poses grave risks to institutional integrity and regional stability, particularly amid India’s ongoing internal repression in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
