Why was religion brought into the armed forces, ex-servicemen organizations have questioned the CDS and chiefs

Painting historical memorabilia in Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s office, Ministry of Defence, South Block. In this photo, Pakistan Army Lt. Gen. AAK Niazi (seated, center) signs the surrender document in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. Photo credit: Shankar Chakraborty

Veterans continue to question the removal of the iconic 1971 India-Pakistan war picture from the army chief’s lounge. In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and all three army chiefs, Brigadier Inder Mohan Singh (retd), president of the Indian Ex-Services League (IESL) of which the Defense Minister is the patron. In reference to Garuda and Bhagwan, why would anyone question the armed forces as “bringing religion” and “destroying our buildings and removing our roots”? Krishna’s chariot in a new painting.

“Pangong Tso with mountains in background, some military equipment. What is the importance? We have lost our patrol rights from fingers 4 to 8. I know this because I commanded the then neglected 114 Infantry Brigade from 2001 to 2003. Then, we have Chanakya. Do we walk in what he taught some 2,400 years ago? If his philosophy had been so strong, India would not have been divided into so many regions, states, princely states, etc. and if the British had not been wise, they had brought them all into one geography and today the armed forces are the result of that success. Not Chanakya, Brigadier Mohan has asked in the letter.

IESL is recognized by the Ministry of Defense as an umbrella ex-servicemen organization and the CDS and the three service chiefs are its patrons.

And finally you have a chariot reflecting the Mahabharata, Brigadier Mohan said in the letter. “Wonder why (someone) would bring religion into the armed forces? Do we want to tear down our edifice and uproot our roots? What relevance does it have to our armed forces today?” He questioned.

Amid growing criticism after the painting was removed from the army chief’s lounge last week, the army on Monday installed an iconic painting depicting Pakistan’s surrender in 1971 at the Maneksha Convention Centre, in what it called its “most appropriate” location.

Referring to the 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh, Brigadier Mohan said it was the first victory of its kind after the surrender of a nation after World War II. He said that earlier the Allies had accepted the surrender of the Axis powers at the end of the Second World War.

A new painting by Lt. Col. Thomas Jacob of the 28th Madras Regiment, ‘Karam Kshetra – Field of Deeds’, shows snow-capped mountains in the background, Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh to the right, Garuda and Krishna’s chariot. Chanakya on the left side and modern equipment like tanks, all-terrain vehicles, infantry, patrol boats, indigenous light combat helicopters and Apache attack helicopters.

What the photo is replaced with is the army chief’s decision, the veteran said, raising questions as it “affects us”.

Brigadier Mohan said that he would be grateful if the historic photograph was gifted to IESL, “We will give it a place of honour.” As the subject of my letter says, photo finishes are always appreciated, be it winners or narrow losers, “but finishing photos that reflect history is an unforgivable task.”

The Maneksha Center in reference to the statue of Field Marshal Sam Maneksha in recognition of his decisive leadership in the 1971 war, Brig. Mohan said: “I wonder why they didn’t name it ‘Chanakya Centre’ and put a statue of Chanakya in the statue of our beloved Field Marshal Sam Manekash.”