5 Aug, 2017
Indian Armed Forces veterans condemn Modi govt: “Dissent is not treason”
New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) A group of Indian armed forces veterans have flagged their concern over “divisiveness” and “relentless vigilantism” gripping the country and condemned the targeting of Muslims and Dalits.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 114 veterans wrote that issues like vigilantism and “targeting of Muslims and Dalits” have “compelled” them to pen the letter, which has also been marked for the chief ministers and Lt. Governors.
They observed that the recent happenings “strike” at all that the armed forces, and the Constitution, stand for. The veterans also lent their support to the Not In My Name campaign in the letter.
“We are witness to unprecedented attacks on society at large by the relentless vigilantism of self-appointed protectors of Hinduism. We condemn the targeting of Muslims and Dalits.
“We condemn the clampdowns on free speech by attacks on media outlets, civil society groups, universities, journalists and scholars, through a campaign of branding them anti- national and unleashing violence against them while the state looks away,” said the letter, dated July 30.
The retired personnel stressed that, collectively, their group holds no affiliation with any single political party, and their only common commitment was towards the Constitution of India.
“We can no longer look away. We would be doing a disservice to our country if we do not stand up and speak for the liberal and secular values that our constitution espouses. Our diversity is our greatest strength. Dissent is not treason; in fact, it is the essence of democracy,” they added.
Editor’s Note: According to Indian media reports, the letter was signed by 114 military veterans, including Admiral L. Ramdas, Maj. Gen. Dipankar Banerjee and Maj. Gen. M.P.S. Kandal.
Here is the full text of the letter by the veterans:
We are a group of Veterans of the Indian Armed Forces who have spent our careers working for the security of our country. Collectively, our group holds no affiliation with any single political party, our only common commitment being to the Constitution of India.
It saddens us to write this letter, but current events in India have compelled us to register our dismay at the divisiveness that is gripping our country. We stand with the ‘Not in My Name’ campaign that mobilised thousands of citizens across the country to protest against the current climate of fear, intimidation, hate and suspicion.
The Armed Forces stand for “Unity in Diversity”. Differences in religion, language, caste, culture or any other marker of belonging have not mattered to the cohesion of the Armed Forces, and servicemen of different backgrounds have fought shoulder to shoulder in the defence of our nation, as they continue to do today. Throughout our service, a sense of openness, justice and fair play guided our actions. We are one family. Our heritage is like the multi-coloured quilt that is India, and we cherish this vibrant diversity.
However, what is happening in our country today strikes at all that the Armed Forces, and indeed our Constitution, stand for. We are witness to unprecedented attacks on society at large by the relentless vigilantism of self-appointed protectors of Hinduism. We condemn the targeting of Muslims and Dalits. We condemn the clampdowns on free speech by attacks on media outlets, civil society groups, universities, journalists and scholars, through a campaign of branding them anti-national and unleashing violence against them while the State looks away.
We can no longer look away. We would be doing a disservice to our country if we do not stand up and speak for the liberal and secular values that our Constitution espouses. Our diversity is our greatest strength. Dissent is not treason; in fact, it is the essence of democracy.
We urge the powers that be at the Centre and in the States to take note of our concerns and urgently act to uphold our Constitution, both in letter and in spirit.
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