'Disgraceful, Unedifying': Ex-Army Men Call Out Modi's War Memorial Speech
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi was hailed by many for taking the initiative to make a war
memorial for Indian soldiers slain in wars post-Independence. However, his
markedly political speech, targetting the Congress, has irked many including
former service personnel.
While inaugurating the
National War Memorial in New Delhi, the prime minister lashed out at the Congress saying, “From Bofors to AgustaWestland
chopper deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family and it says a
lot. Now these people are making all efforts to make sure that the Rafale
aircraft doesn’t arrive in the country.”
Several former members
of the Indian armed forces criticised Modi’s speech, calling it inappropriate
for the occasion. Col Pavan Nair VSM
(Retd) not only found the speech inappropriate, but said that it should have
been the President inaugurating the memorial.
Speaking to Huffpost
India, Col Nair said, “I have heard the part when he mentioned the family
and dynasty. [It is] Most inappropriate on a solemn occasion like this. But for
me it was highly inappropriate that the prime minister and not the President,
who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, inaugurated the memorial. [It
is] Against protocol and military ethos.” Other veterans took to
Twitter asking the prime minister whether he considered the event an election
rally. ..
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